Legal scholars and students recently discussed “Religion and Gay Marriage: Do They Have to Be at Odds? And Can University Students Make a Difference?” as part of an event titled “Tolerance Means Dialogue” at the Law School.
Robin Fretwell Wilson, the Roger and Stephany Joslin Professor of Law at the University of Illinois College of Law, and William Eskridge, the John A. Garver Professor of Jurisprudence at Yale Law School, initiated the discussion.
The Tolerance Means Dialogues are designed to bring together Millennials and scholars to find constructive approaches to living together in a pluralistic society.
As part of the program, undergraduate and graduate students competed for two Tolerance Scholarships. The students submitted 500-word essays on what tolerance means to them and how their experiences could help create a better society. Each essayist summarized his or her idea with the hashtag #ToleranceMeans. The two winners each received a $750 Tolerance Scholarship and participated in the dialogue.
Shannon McNamara, a senior majoring in English at UA, and Crystal Smitherman, 3L, won Tolerance Scholarships for their essays, while Nwando Anwah, 1L, won a $250 Social Engagement Prize for tweeting questions about tolerance during the program.
Daiquiri Steele, Director of Diversity & Inclusion and Assistant Professor of Law in Residence, moderated the program. The event was sponsored by The Federalist Society, The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, OUTLaw, The 1st Amendment Partnership, and the Law School’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion. #ToleranceMeans #ToleranceMeansBama