Jan. 14, 2014 – Amid the whirlwind of legal changes surrounding same-sex marriage, University of Utah alumna and executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights Kate Kendell will speak about the 2013 Supreme Court rulings on Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act and the recent federal court ruling legalizing gay marriage in Utah and the subsequent stay issued by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Kendell will speak in the Sutherland Moot Courtroom in the S.J. Quinney College of Law building, 332 S. 1400 East, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 12:15-1:15 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is requested.

“Marriage equality is the civil rights issue of our day,” said Amy Shewan, vice president of the college’s LGBT-focused student group, OutLaws, which is sponsoring the presentation. “This event is an unprecedented opportunity to further our mission of educating and advocating on legal issues that are important to the LGBT community.”

Growing up Mormon in Utah, Kendell learned about the complexities of religion and politics from an early age. She became the first staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, where she litigated cases involving reproductive rights, prisoners’ rights, free speech, the rights of LGBT people and the intersection of church and state.

Kendell joined the NCLR in 1994 and became executive director two years later. The NCLR was responsible for achieving marriage equality in California and New Mexico, and it recently agreed to represent gay couples in Utah seeking recognition for their same-sex unions.

She has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Advocate, NPR, CNN and other media outlets.

For lawyers, attendance provides one hour of continuing legal education. For questions, contact Event Director Miriam Lovin at 801-585-3479. For more information about the presentation and transportation/parking, click here.