How does the subject of your article on gay couples rise to the status of front-page news ("Same-sex couples rise 51% in Maryland," Aug. 11)?

Given what else is going on in the state, country and world, is this "news" really of such major importance to your readers?

The article itself states that gay couples account for only about eight of every 1,000 households in the state.

The placement and sympathetic tone of the article appears to be aimed at advancing your pro gay marriage views in the guise of reporting "the news." Such views should be reserved for the editorial page, not the top of Page One.

Joseph Erving, Timonium