<p><span class=Apple-style-span style=font-family: Verdana; line-height: 15px; ><strong><span class=Apple-style-span style=font-style: italic; >Gay Catholic Group DignityUSA and California Chapters call upon Governor Schwarzenegger to sign the Civil Marriage and Religious Freedom Protection Act</span></strong></span></p><p><span class=Apple-style-span style=font-family: Verdana; line-height: 15px; ><strong>Washington DC&nbsp;</strong>&ndash; DignityUSA and its six California chapters today strongly urge California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign the same-gender marriage legislation Civil Marriage and Religious Freedon Protection Act that would greatly expand justice and equality in California. The governor said the legislation flew in the face of public opinion despite its approval by the California legislature.</span></p><p><span class=Apple-style-span style=font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px; ><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >DignityUSA represents gay lesbian bisexual and transgender Catholics our families and friends across the country and across the State of California. DignityUSA chapters are located in Los Angeles Palm Springs San Diego San Fernando Valley San Francisco and San Jose. DignityUSA members live throughout the entire state of California.</p><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >&ldquo;We hope the governor will change his mind on this very important legislation &ldquo;said Debbie Weill executive director of DignityUSA. &ldquo;Same-sex married families have much to offer California providing a loving environment for their children stability for their neighborhoods needed skills for their employers and additional tax revenues for the State. These gay lesbian and bisexual families could add much to the rich fabric of California society and could strengthen family values&rdquo; Weill added.</p><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >&ldquo;The legislators are the elected representatives of the people of California and reflect the views of their constituents&rdquo; noted Veronica Abrickis co-chair of Dignity/San Francisco. &ldquo;The legislation has widespread support around the state. The governor would be wise to recognize that many Californians support this move for equality&rdquo; stated Father Kevin Steen president of Dignity/Los Angeles. Pat McArron president of Dignity/San Diego &amp; former national president said &ldquo;the time has come for our governor to stand up for justice and equality with his signature on this landmark legislation as passed by our state legislature. This legislation is the result of years of consultation and represents the sentiment of the people of our great state.&rdquo; Bill Welch president of Dignity/San Jose said &ldquo;In earlier remarks on the issue the governor commented he would support changes in law over judicial interpretations. The state legislature followed through.&rdquo;</p><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; ><em>DignityUSA is the nation&rsquo;s foremost organization of gay lesbian bisexual and transgender Catholics their families friends and supporters. Founded in 1969 it is an independent nonprofit organization with members and chapters across the country. DignityUSA works for full inclusion of gay lesbian bisexual and transgender people in the life of the Church and Society.&nbsp;<a href=http://www.dignityusa.org/ style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51 0 102); text-decoration: underline; >www.dignityusa.org</a></em></p></span></p>