How Equal is Equal? The History and Present Day Meaning of the Equal Protection Clause

Date: 
Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 8:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: 
MacMillan 115
Speakers: 
Steve Calabresi

Join the Janus Fellows and Professor Calabresi, a Professor at Northwestern Law School and visiting professor at the Political Theory Project in a discussion of the Equal Protections Clause at 8pm in MacMillan 115 on Thursday, April 26.

The discussion will focus on the historical origins of the 14th amendment's equality mandate and on its potential application to discrimination based on race, gender, alienage, illegitimacy, and sexual orientation. Did the defat of the U.S. Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s make any difference? Was the extension of the equal protection clause beyond race correct? What are the implications of this for discrimination based on sexual orientation? The discussion will also include a part on whether the Constitution protects welfare rights. 

As always, FREE Antonio's and East Side baklava!