Symposium Considers “The Culture of Same-Sex Marriage in New England”
Update: To watch video of the “The Culture of Same-Sex Marriage in New England” Symposium click the links below:
While much of the intellectual life of the law school this semester has involved unique learning opportunities to consider the work of the United States Supreme Court, one student group took the opposite tack, focusing on legal issues particular, for now, to New England. The RWU Law LGBT Alliance recently hosted a symposium entitled “The Culture of Same-Sex Marriage in New England.” This event brought to our campus college students, law students, academics, practicing attorneys, and activists to discuss the rich array of issues surrounding same-sex marriage. In attendance were over 80 people from across New England.
The keynote address was delivered by David Wilson, a plaintiff in the path breaking Goodrich v. Dept. of Public Health litigation, and board member of Mass Equality and the Human Rights Campaign. Following the keynote were two impressive panels moderated by experts in the area, our own Professors Diana Hassel and Courtney Cahill. The panels advanced, and critiqued, the arguments regarding same-sex marriage and the arguments for and against civil unions.
Images from “Picture Equality” exhibit from Marriage Equality RI
(left to right): Paula Ettelbrick (International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission), Karen Loewy (Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders), Jenn Steinfeld (Marriage Equality RI), Reverend Rick Taylor (church historian and equality rights activist in RI), Jass Stewart (recent mayoral candidate in Brockton, MA)
(left to right): Deb Conry (3L), Courtney Cahill (RWU Law faculty), Jass Stewart, Jess Maskell (3L), Reverend Rick Taylor, Kim Ahern (2L), Paula Ettelbrick, Tom Anderhalt (2L), Karen Loewy, Jenn Steinfeld, Brad Pelletier (alum)
