Washington: The party platform that will be presented to delegates at the Democratic National Convention carefully never mentions the words gay, lesbian or transgendered, yet it�s the most positive LGBT platform in memory.

It calls for passage of expanded hate crime legislation and a comprehensive employment discrimination bill, while not specifically saying both pieces of legislation would directly affect LGBT people. It does, however, use the term gender identity.

The platform also calls for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the ban on LGBT people serving openly in the military, and for the first time it calls for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act used to bar gay and lesbian couples from receiving federal benefits.

The platform additionally calls for the full inclusion of same-sex couples and their families and for a national strategy to combat HIV/AIDS.

"The platform addresses many of our community's critical issues, however it does not explicitly use the words gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "While this has prompted much discussion, it is our responsibility as a community in this election year to compare this document with the soon-to-be-adopted Republican platform and to judge which party would best advocate for us. Additionally, we challenge the Republican Party to, for the first time, adopt equally supportive language."

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis said she was pleased to seek repeal of DADT tell in the platform adding that it "firmly advocates that all who are qualified be allowed to serve in the military without regard to their sexual orientation. This is a bold and historic moment for all those who must serve in silence today and for all who believe in equality."

Meanwhile, a record number of LGBT delegates are expected to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Over 350 LGBT participants are being sent to the convention.

This represents approximately 6 percent of total convention attendees and is a 27 percent increase from the 282 LGBT participants who attended the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004.