What: Drake Constitutional Law Center Distinguished Lecture Series:
“Scrutinizing Polygamy after Hobby Lobby and Obergefell”
Featuring Maura Strassberg, Drake Law School professor
When: Thursday, Feb. 4, 4 p.m.
Where: Cartwright Hall, Room 213

Maura Strassberg, professor of law at Drake Law School, will present “Scrutinizing Polygamy after Hobby Lobby and Obergefell” as part of the Drake Constitutional Law Center’s Distinguished Lecture Series.

Now that the Supreme Court has determined same-sex marriage is constitutionally protected under the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses, many have wondered whether polygamy should also receive constitutional protection. In addition, recent developments in the protection of religious freedom under the 1st Amendment as well as federal and state Religious Freedom Restoration Acts also provide the basis for a re-evaluation of bans on religious polygamy.

Strassberg will discuss whether existing laws distinguishing polygamy from same-sex marriage are the result of prejudice or if they stem from good reasons. She will point to modern social science research on the harms of polygamy from a global perspective that may answer this question as well as justifications for state prohibitions on polygamy that could survive even stricter scrutiny.

The event is free and open to the public.

—Submitted by Kayla Choate, Law School Alumni Affairs & Communications Coordinator