gay rights

Supreme Court of the ’60s lent ‘legal force to the dissatisfaction with bigotry’

Former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank and retired federal judge Nancy Gertner discussed during last week’s Myra Kraft Open Classroom lecture the ramifications of the U.S. Supreme Court between 1953 and 1969, when Earl Warren served as chief justice.

by Jason Kornwitz November 9, 2015

Northeastern community reacts to new Boy Scouts policy

Students and faculty described the group's decision to lift its ban on openly gay leaders while allowing church-sponsored units to continue excluding gays for religious reasons in unequivocally strong terms. “Claiming ‘morality’ or ‘religious beliefs’ cannot override basic principles of equality,” noted sociology professor Suzanna Walters.

by Jason Kornwitz July 29, 2015

Law school grad makes case to Supreme Court for same-sex marriage rights

Northeastern alumna Mary Bonauto, L’87, argued in front of the nation’s highest court that the Constitution affords same-sex couples the right to marry.

by Joe O'Connell April 29, 2015

Looking ahead: Social movements in 2015

Marches and demonstrations aimed at shaping the conversation around race and social inequalities captured the nation's attention in 2014. Here, Northeastern assistant professor Sarah Jackson talks about what we've learned from recent activism and what we might expect in 2015.

by Matthew McDonald January 29, 2015

‘Our diversity is not a zero-sum game’

The Northeastern community celebrated the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Thursday afternoon, convening for an annual event titled “A Tribute to the Dream.”

by Joe O'Connell January 16, 2015

School of Law alumna receives MacArthur Fellowship

Mary Bonauto, an alumna of Northeastern’s School of Law and a pioneer in the fight for marriage equality, has been named to the 2014 Class of MacArthur Fellows. The prestigious award includes a $625,000 “genius grant.”

by Jason Kornwitz September 26, 2014

3Qs: The tolerance trap

In her new book on gay equality, sociology professor Suzanna Walters argues that the plea for tolerance has sabotaged the full integration of gay men and women into American life.

by Jason Kornwitz June 13, 2014

3Qs: Michael Sam’s groundbreaking decision

How would fans, coaches, and teammates react to the first openly gay player in NFL history? We asked Peter Roby, Northeastern’s athletic director and a former college basketball coach.

by Jason Kornwitz February 13, 2014

3Qs: The Boy Scouts of America decision

Suzanna Walters, director of Northeastern’s Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program, responds to the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to admit gay youth.

by Emily Rosenbaum May 29, 2013

3Qs: Jason Collins and the role of identity

Carole Bell, an assistant professor of communication studies, analyzes the impact of professional basketball player Jason Collins’ recent announcement that he is gay.

by Matt Collette May 9, 2013