Speakers and Panelists: 

• Helen Alvare, Associate Professor of Law, George Mason School of Law
• Ryan Anderson, William E. Simon Fellow in Religion and a Free Society, Heritage Foundation
• David H. Gans, Director of the Human Rights, Civil Rights, and Citizenship Program, Constitutional Accountability Center
• Frank Gulino, Associate Professor of Legal Writing, Maurcie A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra Law School
• Shannon Minter, Legal Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights
• Ed Whelan, President, Ethics and Public Policy Center

Description:

The Symposium will cover the legal and public policy implications of how marriage is defined by law-makers and by the courts. The panel will examine the legal standards that states must meet in order to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman or to change the definition of marriage to include members of the same sex. The foundation for this discussion will be an examination of the legal battle over Proposition 8 in California, which is making its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Symposium is co-sponsored by the George Mason American Constitution Society and the George Mason Federalist Society.