On Monday, September 19th from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saint Mary's will host A Constitutional Symposium: Religious Liberty & LGBTQ+ Rights. The event will take place in the Soda Center (Claeys Lounge) and is free and open to the public.

This symposium is held in recognition of national Constitution Day. Many states have laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Yet many states also provide exemptions to religious entities that allow them to withhold certain services and benefits from LGBTQ+ persons. Supporters of such exemptions and advocates of LGBTQ+ rights each rely on constitutional values that are foundational to the American experience: freedom of religious expression on the one hand and equal protection under the law on the other.

Our pluralistic society relies on open dialogue and tolerance of divergent beliefs. Accordingly, three respected Constitutional experts will discuss the perceived tension between these constitutional rights:     

• Robin Fretwell Wilson, Director of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs for the University of Illinois

• Kyle Velte, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Kansas School of Law

• Elizabeth Clark, Professor and Associate Director of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at Brigham Young University

Members of the audience will have the opportunity to submit questions for the speakers to address. Free copies of the Constitution will be distributed. Those who prefer to attend remotely can register here.

Watch The Symposium Here: (1) SMC Constitution Day Symposium: Religious Freedom and Equality for LGBTQ Persons - YouTube

טיילת המצוק באיזור המרכזי של נתניה. ברקע מלון כרמל ובאוויר - מצנחי רחיפה by ארכיון עיריית נתניה, is licensed under CC BY 2.5

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh by TheZachMorrisExperience, is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Discussing Religious Freedom, LGBT Rights, and the Prospects for Common Ground

Aerial View of Downtown Detroit and Renaissance Center by Robert Thompson, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Aerial View of Downtown Detroit and Renaissance Center by Robert Thompson, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Campus in Buenos Aires by Futam, is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Sierraderamon by Chronus, is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

The headquarters of the UC by Sfs90, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Panorama of the University City in São Paulo by rvcroffi, is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Historic Center of Florianópolis by Fernando Dall'Acqua, is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Panorama of the University City in São Paulo by rvcroffi, is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Tolerance Means Dialogue: "Religious Liberty & the Culture War Over LGBT Rights: Can University Students Make a Difference?"

Featuring:
Dialogue Catalysts:  Robin Fretwell Wilson, Shannon Minter of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and student winners of the Tolerance Scholarship.

Essay Due:
Thursday, June 13 by 11:59pm

Panelist, discussing the intersection of religious and LGBTQ identities .

Iowa State Capitol, Des Moines by Tony Fischer, is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Iowa State Capitol, Des Moines by Tony Fischer, is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Tolerance Means Dialogue: "Religious Liberty & the Culture War Over LGBT Rights: Can University Students Make a Difference?"

Featuring:
Dialogue Catalysts:  Robin Fretwell Wilson, Shannon Minter of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and student winners of the Tolerance Scholarship.

Moderated by Jessie Hill, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Judge Ben C. Green Professor of Law, and Jon Adler, Johan Verheij Memorial Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Business Law & Regulation.

Case Western Reserve University Campus by Rick Dikeman, is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

National Constitution Center Front by Housefinch1787, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Case Western Reserve University Campus by Rick Dikeman, is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Panel on “Religious and LGBT Discrimination in Our Society: How Best to Root It Out”

Dean’s Welcome: Elena Langan, Dean, Concordia University School of Law

Moderator: McKay Cunningham, Concordia University School of Law

Panelists:

• Brent Hill, President Pro Tempore of the Idaho State Senate

• Doug Werth, Lead Deputy Attorney General for the Idaho Human Rights Commission

• Eric Baxter, Beckett Fund for Religious Liberty

• Howard Belodoff, Associate Director, Idaho Legal Aid

• Kathy Griesmyer, ACLU Policy Director

• Robin Fretwell Wilson, University of Illinois College of Law

Panelists:

• Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill

• Senator Grant Burgoyne

• Representative John McCrostie

• Professor Shaakirrah Sanders

• Professor Robin Wilson

Moderator: Tanner Bean