Panel discussion

George Chauncey will  start us off by  reviewing some of the basic history that we may take for granted but that many of our colleagues -- and the reporters whom we hope will be there -- may not know, and adding his own perspective as the innovative lead author of amicus briefs, notably the historians' brief in Lawrence v. Texas, which not only persuaded the U.S. Supreme Court to change its understanding of sodomy, but also was specifically complimented in their opinion.  His approach there set the model for historians' briefs in same sex marriage cases.