WASHINGTON - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese made the following statement about California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto of legislation extending equal marriage rights and responsibilities to all Californians.

"Governor Schwarzenegger's veto put politics over people today," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "The Governor's veto delays equal treatment under the law for thousands of California families.

"Governor Schwarzenegger should actively fight against ballot initiatives that write discrimination into the California Constitution," Solmonese added."These initiatives would forever deny marriage to same-sex couples and roll back all the benefits and responsibilities they currently have under law."

By a 41-35 vote, the California Assembly passed A.B. 849, the Civil Marriage and Religious Freedom Protection Act, on Sept. 6, 2005. The California Senate passed the measure on Sept. 1 by a 21-15 vote. The legislation was authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and sponsored by Equality California, and had marked the first time that a marriage equality bill has passed a state legislature.

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.