Jim Obergefell to deliver annual Atwater Lecture

Activist Jim Obergefell, whose name is permanently tied to a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality, will visit William & Mary this month to deliver the annual Atwater Lecture.

Obergefell - the named plaintiff in the 2015 Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges - will deliver the annual Atwater Lecture on March 18 (Emma Parker Photography)

Activist Jim Obergefell, whose name is permanently tied to a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality, will visit William & Mary this month to deliver the annual Atwater Lecture.

Obergefell - the named plaintiff in the 2015 Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges - will speak at 7 p.m. March 18 as part of the lecture series hosted by Alma Mater Productions (AMP). The event is supported by the Janet and Peter Atwater Lecture Endowment.

During the lecture, Obergefell plans to reflect on what he describes as his "an accidental legacy," recounting the personal story that led him from private citizen to a national figure in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality.

From caregiver to civil rights figure

Obergefell's advocacy began during the final months of his partner John Arthur's life. Arthur was dying from ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease) after the couple had been together for more than two decades.

Facing the possibility that their relationship would not be legally recognized after Arthur's death, the two decided to marry in 2013. Their case eventually became the centerpiece of the Supreme Court challenge that resulted in nationwide marriage equality.

The court's ruling in 2015 established that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry, transforming the legal landscape for LGBTQ+ Americans. Arthur did not live to see it. He died in October 2013.

Obergefell has since become a leading voice in civil rights advocacy, speaking across the country about equality, civic engagement and the ongoing effort to protect LGBTQ+ rights.

Sharing the story behind the ruling

In addition to his advocacy work, Obergefell is the co-author of "Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality," written with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Debbie Cenziper. The book recounts the personal stories of couples and attorneys involved in the legal fight that culminated in the Supreme Court decision.

He is also an executive producer of the JustMarried Project, a multimedia initiative documenting the decades-long movement for marriage equality and a leading voice in the ongoing effort to protect LGBTQ+ rights at the state and federal level. Obergefell remains active in advocacy organizations supporting LGBTQ+ families and broader civil rights initiatives.

Continuing the conversation on equality

At William & Mary, Obergefell's lecture will focus not only on the events that led to the historic court decision but also on the challenges facing LGBTQ+ rights today.

Drawing on his own experience, he encourages audiences to stand by their beliefs and participate in civic life.

"In his story of love, loss and commitment," event organizers said, Obergefell aims to inspire audiences to recognize the impact individuals can have in shaping social change.

The Atwater Lecture series brings notable public figures, journalists and thinkers to campus each year to engage students and the broader community in discussions about contemporary issues. The event will be held in the Commonwealth Auditorium in the Sadler Center on the William & Mary campus Admission is free for faculty, staff and students. The general public can buy tickets at the door for $10.

Susan Corbett, Communications Specialist

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