Wolfson will discuss West Virginia and marriage equality with radio talk show host Hoppy Kercheval. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.
As an attorney, Wolfson has been involved in landmark marriage equality cases. He was co-counsel in Baehr v. Miike, one of the first lawsuits to challenge the denial of same-sex marriage. He also contributed to the legal teams in the Vermont case that led to the creation of civil unions, and Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, which led to marriage equality in Massachusetts.
A 1983 Harvard Law School graduate, Wolfson is the author of “Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay People’s Right to Marry” (Simon & Schuster, 2004). In 2004, he was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, and in 2012 he was a recipient of the Barnard Medal of Distinction.
In 2000, Wolfson argued before the United States Supreme Court in Boy Scouts of America v. James Dale. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court supported Boy Scouts’ right to expel Dale, a scoutmaster and Eagle Scout, based on his sexual orientation.
Radio talk show host Kercheval has been a broadcaster with the West Virginia Radio Corporation since 1976. He is a founder of West Virginia MetroNews and has been the host of Talkline, the network’s signature program, since 1993. Kercheval is a recipient of the Mel Burka Distinguished Broadcaster Award from the West Virginia Broadcasters Association.
Wolfson’s appearance at WVU Law is hosted by OUTlaw, a student organization at the College of Law that fosters open communication between gay and straight communities while educating individuals on gay rights issues.
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