Introduction and Outline

The Marriage and Family Law Research Project of the J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, and The Marriage Law Project of the Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America are pleased to co-sponsor a Symposium to answer the question: “What’s the Harm? How Society, Families, Children and Marriages are Hurt When Same-Sex Unions are Treated as Marriages.” This symposium will convene at the J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, Law School on Friday and Saturday, September 15-16, 2006.

We will have six sessions each involving four panelists. The six panels (and some of the topics included in each) are listed below. The conference will begin about 8:30 a.m. on Friday, and conclude about 1 pm on Saturday. We are currently contacting publishers to arrange for publication of the presentations. We believe it will be an up-to-date, excellent book or law review symposium issue designed to illustrate the importance of the institution of conjugal marriage, and the harm it will suffer if same-sex marriage is legalized. There may be some other media of delivery/transmission of material presented at the Symposium, such as internet, broadcast, or documentary film.

The invitees who will be presenting are among the most knowledgeable and insightful legal scholars, other academics, and professionals to address the question of same-sex marriage. All presenters will be addressing three general questions, as applied to their particular topic: First, how does (and has) institution of conjugal marriage uniquely benefitted society, specifically regarding the social interests in channeling sexual activity into conjugal marriage. Second, in what ways will/could those social benefits of marriage for these specific social interests be lost or impaired or weakened or other harms to them result if same-sex marriage is legalized; why and how would/will that harm happen; what evidence is there to support the prediction of harm? Third, what counter-arguments do you anticipate to these claims, and what is your response to them? The academic review and presentation of those questions and answers could have crucial positive impact in the current discussions on the state, national and international levels.

The Administrative coordinator for the conference is Camille S. Williams, Administrative Director of the Marriage & Family Law Research Project, csw3@lawgate.buy.edu or at (801)422-6753.

Co-Organizers:

Lynn D. Wardle
Bruce C. Hafen
Professor of Law J. Reuben
Clark Law School, Rm. 518
Brigham Young University Provo, UT 84602

Robert A. Destro
Columbus School of Law
Professor of Law & Supervisor,
Marriage Law Project Columbus Law School
The Catholic University of America 3600
John McCormack Road, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20064

Camille S. Williams
Administrative Director Marriage
& Family Law Research Project J. Reuben
Clark Law School, 419 JRCB
Brigham Young University Provo, Utah 84602