Marriage Equality in Minnesota
Join us for a University of Minnesota Law School webinar shedding light on Minnesota’s history of marriage equality, taking place on the 49th anniversary of the Minnesota Supreme Court's opinion that refusal to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple does not offend the U.S. constitution.
This virtual event will feature the first legal same-sex marriage in the history of the United States, Jack Baker (MN Law alum) and Michael McConnell, the 2012 marriage amendment campaign, and the 2013 adoption of same-sex marriage by statue.
Panelists include:
- Cristine Almeida - Speaker Bio
- Jack Baker ‘72 and Michael McConnell are America's first legally married gay couple. They were married in Minneapolis in 1971 in a small ceremony officiated by a United Methodist minister, with an official license issued by a rural Minnesota county. In 2010, Michael retired from the Hennepin County Library system and Jack retired from his careers in law and engineering. They live in Minneapolis.
- Richard Carlbom - Speaker Bio
- William Eskridge - Speaker Bio
- Gail Langer Karwoski is an author and educator based in Athens, Georgia. She met Michael McConnell and Jack Baker in 1972. She is the author of many books for young readers.
- Christopher R. Riano is the President of the nation's Center for Civic Education, and a Lecturer in Constitutional Law and Government at Columbia University.
Dean Garry W. Jenkins will open with remarks and an overview of the history of same-sex marriage in Minnesota. Dale Carpenter, constitutional law professor at SMU Dedman School of law and former Minnesota Law Faculty member, will moderate the discussion.
Additionally, panelists Gail Langer Karwoski, Jack Baker and Michael McConnell will discuss their co-authored book, The Marriage Heard 'Round the World and William Eskridge and Christopher Riano will speak to their co-authored book, The Marriage Equality Debate: From Outlaws to In-Laws.
Book by Michael McConnell with Jack Baker as told to Gail Langer Karwoski
Purchase on Amazon for the hardcover, kindle or paperback versions and via the University of Minnesota Press
The Marriage Equality Debate: From Outlaws to In-Laws 
Book by William N. Eskridge Jr. and Christopher R. Riano
Purchase through yalebooks.com (25% off, use discount code: YEMEQ)
Note: The discount code will be requested at the very end of the check out process. The website defaults to UPS Ground for shipping, but you can choose a cheaper USPS media mail option if you wish.