Thursday, Sept. 15, Jim Obergefell the plaintiff in the Supreme Court case that brought marriage equality to all 50 states will be speaking at Lambda Archives in San Diego about his experience and his new book, Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers who fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality. Matt Stephens, local attorney, marriage equality activist, transgender man and UCSD professor will moderate a conversation with Obergefell. They will also take questions from the audience.
Obergefell made national news when in 2013 he sued his home state of Ohio to recognize his marriage to John Arthur. They had been married in the state of Maryland, where same-sex marriage had been legalized. Arthur was dying and they wanted full recognition of their union. Arthur did not live to see the2015 US Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges which granted recognition to his marriage, and by extension, to all same-sex couples throughout the United States. Obergefell’s subsequent book, Love Wins, co-written with Debbie Cenziper, was published in June 2016 by William Morrow.
The Out At the Archives event will begin at 6 p.m. with a VIP meet and greet with Obergefell. The VIP ticket package includes a signed copy of the Love Wins book, wines courtesy of Equality Wines, and preferred seating for the conversation. The program begins at 7 in Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd. After the talk, additional books will be available to purchase and Obergefell will be available to sign. Obergefell is generously donating his time so all proceeds from the event will benefit Lambda Archives work collecting, preserving and teaching the LGBTQ history of the San Diego region. Tickets are limited and available at diversionary.org.
Jen LaBarbera, head archivist said, “We are very happy to have Mr. Obergefell come here to talk about his part in making history. At the Archives we want to understand how we won battles in the past to inform how best to approach the equal rights struggles that still lie ahead. Our awesome volunteers and staff have pulled marriage equality materials from our collections, as well as borrowed some from local activists, to create a new exhibit.”
“Lambda Archives strives to be as accessible as possible, but due to limited resources, need 48 hours advance notice if you would like ASL interpretation,” Maureen Steiner, Archives board president said. “If anyone cannot afford the ticket price, they are welcome to contact us for volunteer opportunities or other arrangements. The Center generously has sponsored 10 students from the San Diego School District to attend this historic event.”
The public may visit free of charge. It will be open during the evening of the Obergefell event as well as during the upcoming weeks. For more information, please contact us at info@lambdaarchives.org or 619-260-1522.
