Sample Letter to the Editor/Op-Ed Article

 

Marriage is unique and special. It says, "We’re family" in a way that no other word can. It's the ultimate expression of love, commitment and responsibility for taking care of each other. 
However, tens of thousands of lawfully married same-sex couples are excluded from federal protections and responsibilities conferred by marriage – including access to health care, parenting and immigration rights, social security, veterans and survivor benefits – because of the discriminatory so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). 
DOMA was enacted in 1996 before same-sex couples could marry anywhere in the world. Today six states and the District of Columbia allow the freedom to marry and it is estimated that as many as 100,000 same-sex couples are now married. 
However DOMA mandates unequal treatment of these lawfully married same-sex couples and prevents them from caring for and taking responsibility for one another. 
This is why [ORGANIZATION] has joined the Respect for Marriage Coalition, a partnership of civil rights, faith, health, labor, legal, LGBT, student, and women's organizations working together to build support for the Respect for Marriage Act and repeal the discriminatory so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). 
The Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 1116 and S. 598) repeals DOMA and ends the practice of singling out legally married same-sex couples for discriminatory treatment.  The Respect for Marriage Act allows committed same-sex couples the same safety and security afforded all married couples. 
The Respect for Marriage Act does not tell states whom they must marry, whom they must treat as married, or how they must treat married couples, nor does it tell any religion what ceremonies to perform. 
Marriage matters to gay and lesbian couples in similar ways that it matters to everyone. To some people, gay and lesbian couples may seem different from straight couples, but we share similar values – like the importance of family; worries like making ends meet or the possibility of losing a job; and hopes and dreams – like finding that special someone to grow old with. 
Everyone deserves to be able to protect the people they love, which is why [ORGANIZATION] supports the freedom to marry and is fighting to pass the Respect for Marriage Act and repeal DOMA.

Marriage is unique and special. It says, "We’re family" in a way that no other word can. It's the ultimate expression of love, commitment and responsibility for taking care of each other. 

However, tens of thousands of lawfully married same-sex couples are excluded from federal protections and responsibilities conferred by marriage – including access to health care, parenting and immigration rights, social security, veterans and survivor benefits – because of the discriminatory so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). 

DOMA was enacted in 1996 before same-sex couples could marry anywhere in the world. Today six states and the District of Columbia allow the freedom to marry and it is estimated that as many as 100,000 same-sex couples are now married. 

However DOMA mandates unequal treatment of these lawfully married same-sex couples and prevents them from caring for and taking responsibility for one another. 

This is why [ORGANIZATION] has joined the Respect for Marriage Coalition, a partnership of civil rights, faith, health, labor, legal, LGBT, student, and women's organizations working together to build support for the Respect for Marriage Act and repeal the discriminatory so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). 

The Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 1116 and S. 598) repeals DOMA and ends the practice of singling out legally married same-sex couples for discriminatory treatment.  The Respect for Marriage Act allows committed same-sex couples the same safety and security afforded all married couples. 

The Respect for Marriage Act does not tell states whom they must marry, whom they must treat as married, or how they must treat married couples, nor does it tell any religion what ceremonies to perform. 

Marriage matters to gay and lesbian couples in similar ways that it matters to everyone. To some people, gay and lesbian couples may seem different from straight couples, but we share similar values – like the importance of family; worries like making ends meet or the possibility of losing a job; and hopes and dreams – like finding that special someone to grow old with. 

Everyone deserves to be able to protect the people they love, which is why [ORGANIZATION] supports the freedom to marry and is fighting to pass the Respect for Marriage Act and repeal DOMA.

 

 

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