FIGHT FEAR

DEAR STRANGER: I've been thinking so much about motherhood since I lost my mom. She and my sister were shot while hiking to Pinnacle Lake on July 11. She was a powerfully brilliant educator who filled her shelves and curriculum with Love and Justice. I know I will be a great mother because of her. I was devastated last week when the Washington State Supreme Court ruled to uphold the ban on same-sex marriages. I heard the voice of Fear overpowering those of Love and Justice. Much earlier in her life, my mother was ostracized for choosing a person of color as her partner. I look back in disbelief at the racism they faced, knowing that my children will look back in disbelief at the discrimination that same-sex couples face today. That my future family would be seen as a threat to anyone, rather than a celebration of everything beautiful that's been passed on to me, is heartbreaking. But as I follow in the sure footsteps of my mother, I will not let Fear dictate who I am or whom I Love. If you believe in Love and Justice, please get involved! Start at www.lmaw.org/links.htm.

Elisa Stodden

STAND TOGETHER

EDITOR: Your articles "Decision Day," "The Day After," and "Stay in the Fight" don't talk about the community's reaction (read: outrage) to the supreme court's upholding of discrimination.

Two hundred people gathered in Cal Anderson Park on Sunday to mourn, learn about the decision, sign post cards to legislators, and discuss next steps. Ed Murray, Jamie Pederson, and a plaintiff couple from the court case, among others, inspired us to take action in this time of need, and to recruit others to take action. Last Wednesday's gathering at the First Baptist Church also drew hundreds and had some great speeches.

Reason is on our side (for those of us who know that you can protect accidental procreation without discriminating against a whole class of citizens). We just have to fight the fight. Let's recognize our community's efforts.

Gail Ronen

DUMB JUSTICE

HI ELI: What will happen to the Washington State Supreme Court when the LGBT community doesn't reward Madsen and Alexander for their vote that shit all over the LGBT citizens of this state? Will they have enough rapture-right votes to win or will the conservative take the seat? I guess we'll find out then everyone can live with the outcome... Like we have had to, ya know.

Danny

WEAK-ASS LOGIC

EDITOR: In the article "Justice Denied" [Eli Sanders and Dan Savage, Aug 3], Chief Justice Gerry Alexander is quoted as saying, "And there is a presumption that statutes passed by the legislature are constitutional... If we concluded otherwise we would be usurping the function of the legislature."

Something needed to be said, but wasn't. Why? Why, Dan Savage, leave out this critical question to strain the tiny mind of one-track-minder Justice Alexander?

If laws passed by the legislature were necessarily constitutional, and overturning statutes and state laws was beyond the function of the judicial branch, then what IS the function of the supreme court? I thought judicial review was one of the strongest powers of the supreme court—the power that overturned segregation in the South, and the power people like you relied on to overturn legalized same-sex marriages. Same shoe, different foot, eh?

This question needed to be posed. DAMN YOUR OVERSIGHT.

Bijhan Valibeigi

DIGGING INTO HAQ

JOSH FEIT AND BRENDAN KILEY: Thanks so much for writing the piece on Naveed Haq ["Waiting Period," Aug 3]. I am completely amazed by the story. You have told it so sincerely and with great care. Your article is important for everyone to read in order to understand this crime completely.

Ambreen Ali

A TROUBLED MIND

Naveed Haq was a good friend of mine until the beginning of 2004. I'm glad you shared his story and some of the things he went through. There have been so many horrible stories out there saying he's a terrorist or some jihad cell member. People need to know that Naveed is not a person of hatred and in his right mind is not capable of what he did. I've known Naveed since high school and hung out with him on a daily basis from 2001–2003 and had no idea he was suffering from mental illness. I've laid awake for many sleepless nights since the attack wondering how in the world Naveed could do something like this. I stopped contact with Naveed in January of 2004 because of things he would say to me. We would argue about stupid things (politics, religion, etc.). He knew an awful lot more than I did, and the conversations were pointless. Eventually, my wife and I moved just a few blocks away, and I never contacted Naveed again. Naveed was a great guy, one of the last people on earth I would expect to do this, and I feel somewhat responsible because I let him down by not being his friend anymore.

Chris Holway