'The attorney general squandered an opportunity to ensure that thousands of families stay protected and halt a divisive battle in the state,' said HRC President Joe Solmonese.

WASHINGTON - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese made the following statement as Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly certified a ballot question for November 2008 that would deny marriage rights to same-sex couples and their families.

"The attorney general squandered an opportunity to ensure that thousands of families stay protected and halt a divisive battle in the state," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "After 6,500 families were made stronger because of equal marriage rights, this extreme measure is going to threaten families and drain resources from the state for years."

Solmonese added, "Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders and all of our friends in Massachusetts deserve enormous credit for their work on this fight. We'll continue to stand by their side in defeating this measure. We'll work together to ensure that voters see this ban for what it is: something that would take away protections that hurt nobody and have already helped thousands of families."

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.