The Issues:
Marriage Equality

Writing Letters to the Editor

We're going to court!

As the marriage lawsuit filed by the ACLU and Equality Maryland reaches Maryland's highest court this December, the court of public opinion will be more important than ever. We must take this opportunity to educate our friends and neighbors on this important issue.

Please take the time to write a Letter to the Editor of your local newspapers explaining the importance of civil marriage equality for same-sex couples. We've included letter-writing tips and talking points below. If you want to run your letter past someone, feel free to email Field Organizer Sara Ryan at sara@EqualityMaryland.org.

Click here to learn more about the case.

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Talking Points

Same-sex civil marriage is about fairness and justice:

  • There are over a thousand benefits afforded to heterosexual couples through marriage such as hospital visitation rights, joint property protections and employer provided partner healthcare that are denied to loving and committed same-sex couples.
  • LGBT people are arbitrarily denied access to a cherished institution and therefore, due process and equal protection under the law.

Nothing else is equal:

  • Allowing same-sex couples a civil marriage is the only way to provide the same social, legal and financial benefits currently afforded to other couples in Maryland. Full marriage rights is the only way to grant full respect and treatment to LGBT Marylanders and their children.
  • Marriage is defined as much more than a mere concept or word. It is a legally binding contract between two committed people and the government. All couples who love each other should have the right to enter into that contract in order rights, protections and stability of marriage.
  • LGBT people deserve nothing less than equal treatment under the law, and we should not have to settle for a separate license from the state for our relationships when one already exists.

Civil marriage is good for society:

  • Marriage brings stability to society and homes.
  • Children of same-sex couples are only equally protected under the law through marriage.

Civil marriage for same-sex couples does not threaten anyone's religious beliefs or the institution of marriage:

  • No church, temple, mosque or other religious institution can or will be forced to perform same-sex marriages.
  • Marriage laws have been expanded throughout history to include people of different races and religions, as well as allow women full rights of marriage. No rights have or will be lost by those couples already afforded the benefits and protections of heterosexual marriage. These protections will simply be given to other deserving families who desperately need them.
  • A marriage license from the state confers no religious blessing, nor is there any religious requirement to receive one.

Tips for Writing Letters to the Editor

  • Make sure to find out and follow the newspaper's policy for letters to the editor.
  • Keep it short. There is an average limit of 250 words for letters; some papers have shorter limits. Longer letters are less likely to be published and, if selected, will almost definitely be edited.
  • Use concise and direct sentences.
  • State your argument, give evidence and restate.
  • Resist any urges to engage in personal attacks.
  • Ask friends to proofread.
  • Be timely with your letter!
  • You must use your real name. Newspapers do not print anonymous letters.
  • Include a phone number for confirmation and a regular mailing address, even if you are submitting by email. Newspapers need this information for internal use to confirm that you are the person who submitted the letter. They will usually print the name of your town, but not your actual address or phone number.

High-Priority Newspapers

Following is a list of links and letter submission options for the largest Maryland-area newspapers. These papers are a high priority for letters, because legislators are highly likely to see them.

The Baltimore Sun: Must submit full name for publication, home address and daytime phone number. The Sun reminds letter writers that "brevity is the soul of wit."

  • Fax at 410 332-6977
  • Email to letters@baltsun.com
  • Mail to Letters to the Editor, The Sun, P.O. Box 1377, Baltimore, Md. 21278-0001

The Washington Post: Letters must be exclusive to The Washington Post, and must include the writer's home address and home and business telephone numbers. Full policy.

  • Email to letters@washpost.com ("Do not send attachments, they will not be read.")
  • Mail to The Washington Post, Letters to the Editor, 1150 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20071

The Washington Times: Include your name, address, and a phone number where they can reach you.

  • Email to letters@washingtontimes.com
  • Mail to The Washington Times, Letters to the Editor, 3600 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002-1996

Additional Maryland Newspapers

Following is a list of links and letter submission options for additional Maryland newspapers (papers with the largest circulation are listed first). If your local paper is not listed here, visit their website and look for the letters or opinion section for instructions.

Cumberland Times-News: Circ. 31,456. Include your name, home address, and a phone number.

  • Fax at 301 722-5270
  • Email to timesnews@mindspring.com
  • Mail to The Cumberland Times-News, Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 1662, Cumberland, MD 21501-1662

Montgomery Journal (Rockville): Circ. 30,667. Include your name, home address, and a phone number.

  • Fax at 301 816-1421
  • Email to mtgedit@jrnl.com
  • Online form (allows you to send an attachment
  • Mail to The Montgomery Journal, Letters to the Editor, 5706 Frederick Ave., Rockville, MD 20852-1818

Frederick News Post: Circ. 29,995. Include your name, home address, and a phone number.

  • Fax at 301 662-8299
  • Email to letters@fredericknewspost.com
  • Mail to The Frederick News Post, Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 578, Frederick, MD 21705-0578

Prince George's Journal (Lanham): Circ. 27,866. Include your name, home address, and a phone number.

  • Fax at 301 731-8363
  • Email to pgedit@jrnl.com
  • Online form (allows you to send an attachment
  • Mail to The Prince George's Journal, Letters to the Editor, 9410 Annapolis Road, Lanham, MD 20706-3026

The Herald Mail (Hagerstown): Circ. 20,530. Include your name, home address, and a phone number.

  • Fax at 301 714-0245
  • Email to opinion@herald-mail.com
  • Mail to The Herald Mail, Letters to the Editor, 100 Summit Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21740-5563

The Maryland Independent

  • Phone Editor Angela Breck at 301 645-9480, ext. 218
  • Email to abreck@somdnews.com
  • Mail to Maryland Independent, 7 Industrial Park Drive, Waldorf, MD 20602

The Enterprise

  • Phone Editor Rick Boyd at 301 862-2111
  • Email to rboyd@somdnews.com
  • Mail to The Enterprise, P.O. Box 700, Lexington Park, MD 20653

The Calvert Recorder

  • Phone Editor Joel Davis at 301-855-1029 or 410-535-1214
  • Email to jdavis@somdnews.com
  • Mail to The Calvert Recorder, P.O. Box 485, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Maryland Newspaper Websites


Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Afro American
Baltimore Jewish Times
Towson Times
Owings Mills Times
The Jeffersonian
Baltimore Messenger
Northeast Reporter
Northeast Booster
North County News
Catonsville Times
Arbutus Times
Baltimore City Paper
Baltimore Business Journal
Daily Record
East Baltimore Guide
Catholic Review
Baltimore Times
Dundalk Eagle
Community Times
Howard County Times
Columbia Flier
The Aegis
Washington Post
Washington Times
Gazette
Prince George's Post
Washington Afro American
Laurel Leader
Capital Gazette
Bay Weekly
Maryland Gazette
Star Democrat
Baltimore Examiner
Cecil Whig
Maryland Coast Dispatch
Delmarva Newspapers
Kent County News Weekly
Somerset Herald
Worcester County Messenger
Frederick News Post
Carroll County Times
Herald Mail
Cumberland Times-News
Emmitsburg Dispatch
Republican News
Calvert Recorder
El Tiempo Latino
Asian Fortune

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