Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) is applauding news that Democrats appear set to include a pro-gay marriage plank in the party’s national convention platform for the first time in history. A platform drafting committee has unanimously approved the plank, which now goes before the party’s full platform committee.

The decision means Democrats will include language endorsing same-sex marriage in their party platform during the convention next month. The Democratic National Convention takes place Sept. 4 to 6 in Charlotte, N.C.

Shaheen was the first United States senator to join Freedom to Marry in urging the party to adopt a pro-gay marriage plank back in February.

“Equality and freedom are at the core of who we are as Americans, and that means freedom for all of us, not just some of us,” Shaheen said in a press release. “Our party has long been a leader on issues of justice and this reaffirms to the country that we are working on behalf of all our families, gay and straight. I am proud to see the Democrats take an important step in standing up for the rights of same-sex couples. I urge the full platform committee to adopt this pro-gay marriage plank in August.”