These seven board members took a stand for the children of Massachusetts and their courage will not soon be forgotten,' said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.

WASHINGTON - Seven members of the Catholic Charities Board of Massachusetts announced their resignation today amidst a request by the state's Roman Catholic bishops to allow the organization to be exempted from the state's anti-discrimination laws. Their request would allow them to discriminate against placing adopted children in same-sex households.

"These seven board members took a stand for the children of Massachusetts and their courage will not soon be forgotten," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "We stand in solidarity with these board members in speaking out against denying children in need a loving and stable home. Unfortunately, the four bishops gave priority to their own political agenda and not to the needs of very vulnerable children."

In December, the board of Catholic Charities of Boston voted unanimously to continue to allow adoption by same-sex couples, staying in line with the state of Massachusetts' anti-discrimination laws.

The Boston Globe also reported that the outgoing chairman of the board of Catholic Charities of Boston was strongly in opposition to the plan by the bishops, stating that it would undercut the agency's mission to provide stable homes for needy children. A current board member, Peter Meade, was reported as saying, "This is an unnecessary, unmitigated disaster for children, Catholic Charities and the Archdiocese of Boston."

The nation's leading children's health, children's welfare and mental health organizations have issued statements declaring that a parent's sexual orientation is irrelevant to his or her ability to raise a child.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.