<p><span class=Apple-style-span style=font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px; ><h3>Signed &ldquo;Friend of the Court&rdquo; Brief</h3><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; ><strong>November 18 2003&nbsp;</strong>&mdash; Leaders of DignityUSA the organization for gay lesbian bisexual and transgender Catholics and their supporters expressed their joy about today's decision in Massachusetts' highest court ruling that same-sex couples are legally entitled to marry under the state constitution. Both DignityUSA and Dignity/Boston signed onto a &quot;friend of the court&quot; brief in this case.</p><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >&quot;This only highlights the fact that same-sex couples should not be denied their right to marry and live in a loving relationship no matter where in this country they reside&quot; stated Matthew Gallagher DignityUSA's Executive Director. &quot;Two individuals in a committed relationship should not be denied the legal rights and benefits afforded heterosexual couples.&quot;</p><p class=Section1 style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Gallagher continued &quot;We are delighted that this court saw through efforts to claim religion supports having different laws for lesbian and gay people. The right of inheritance and hospital visitation rights for gay couples and the hundreds of other benefits that accompany marriage are not special rights but equal rights. We are happy that the voice of gay Catholics was heard in this case alongside the brave couples who brought the suit and their many supporters in the legal community.&quot;</p><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >&quot;We believe that lesbian gay bisexual and transgendered people have the right to full expression of their sexuality in ways that are consistent with Catholic/Christian values including the right to enter into committed relationships&quot; stated Sam Sinnett DignityUSA's President. &quot;It is exciting to see this court affirm this right.&quot;</p><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >DignityUSA is the only national Catholic organization that offers a multifaceted program of support for same-sex couples and blesses their commitments in chapters across the country. DignityUSA maintains a national couples registry to recognize and record these unions.</p><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; ><i>DignityUSA is the foremost organization of gay lesbian bisexual and transgendered 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 transgendered people in the life of the Church and Society. For more information please visit&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>&nbsp;.</i></p></span></p>