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Hofstra University's Constitution Day celebration featured student participation as they shared personal experiences and reflections on tolerance and identity. The event, hosted by the Maurice A. Deane School of Law in collaboration with the ToleranceMeans Dialogue organization, aimed to promote empathy and open-mindedness in a diverse society. Constitution Day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, and this year, Hofstra took a unique approach by involving students in a dialogue discussion. President Susan Poser emphasized the changing demographics of the country, with no clear racial or ethnic majority, and how students today value tolerance as a badge of honor. The event included a panel of legal experts, including William Eskridge, Jr., Robin Fretwell Wilson, and Julian Ku, who moderated the discussion. The discussion revolved around the importance of tolerance and empathy in today's society. Leading up to Constitution Day, students were invited to submit essays sharing their experiences with intolerance related to issues like race, gender identity, sexual orientation, political views, or religious beliefs. Three student essay winners, Jamin Enquist, Ferida Osman, and Meredith Frank, were selected to read their entries and awarded $750 scholarships. Enquist, president of Hofstra OUTLaw, discussed how college led him to question his beliefs and the importance of tolerance in personal growth. Osman, a first-generation law student, shared her experience with religious discrimination in a post-9/11 world and how intolerance made her remove her hijab. Frank, a Television Production & Studies major, discussed the privilege of pursuing higher education and the importance of tolerance in bridging differences. The event highlighted the power of tolerance and the need for open dialogue to promote understanding and unity in a diverse community. The program was supported by a grant from the Templeton Foundation for "Dialogue on Differing Social Issues" and sponsored by various student organizations at Hofstra. Read Full Article

On September 16, 2022, Hofstra Law hosted Constitution Day with the panelist discussion “Tolerance Means Dialogue.” The event was co-sponsored by Fairness For All Initiative, 1st Amendment Partnership along with Hofstra Law’s student organizations Federalist Society and OUTLaw. The conversation analyzed different constitutional and civil rights cases and how they related to the divide within the United States. Panelists discussed constructive ways to help close the divide and create an atmosphere where everyone can live together even with their differences. Featuring:Opening Remarks by: President Susan Poser of Hofstra University Dialogue Catalysts:  Robin Fretwell Wilson of the University of Illinois, William Eskridge, Jr. of Yale Law School Moderated by: Julian Ku, The Maurice A. Deane Distinguished Professor in Constitutional Law and Professor of Law at Hofstra University Co-Sponsors: Maurice A. Deane School of Law

Tolerance Means Dialogue event hosted by Saint Louis University School of Law on Wednesday, April 6th 2022. Featuring: Dialogue Catalysts:  Robin Fretwell Wilson of the University of Illinois, Shannon Minter of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and student winners of the Tolerance Scholarship. Moderated by Belinda Dantley, Assistant Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion of Saint Louis University School of Law. Co-Sponsors: Saint Louis University School of Law

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of protecting gay and transgender rights in the workplace, marking a defeat for religious conservatives. Two conservative justices played key roles in the decision, which was met with both criticism and a pivot to other religious liberty cases. Religious groups hope for a broad application of the ministerial exemption in upcoming cases, aiming to balance religious freedom with nondiscrimination laws. This ruling underscores the ongoing legal battles around religious liberty and equality.

Tolerance Means Dialogue event hosted by Wayne State University on Thursday, October 17th, 2019. Featuring: Dialogue Catalysts: Robin Fretwell Wilson of the University of Illinois and John Corvino, Dean of Irvin D. Reid Honors College and Professor of Philosophy at Wayne State University. Moderated by Christopher Lund, Professor of Law. Co-Sponsors: Wayne Law ACLU 1st Amendment Partnership Keith Students For Civil Rights Templeton Religion Trust Federalist Society Wayne State Irvin D. Reid Honors College

Tolerance Means Dialogue event hosted by the BYU Law International Center for Law and Religion Studies on Thursday, June 20th, 2019. Featuring: Dialogue Catalysts: Robin Fretwell Wilson of the University of Illinois and Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Moderated by Elizabeth Clark of BYU Law. Co-Sponsors: BYU Law International Center for Law and Religion Studies

Tolerance Means Dialogue event hosted by the Case Western University School of Law on Wednesday, March 27th, 2019. Featuring: Dialogue Catalysts: Robin Fretwell Wilson of the University of Illinois and Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Moderated by Jessie Hill, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law, and Jonathan Adler, Professor of Law and director of the Center for Business Law and Regulation. Co-Sponsors: Case Western University School of Law

Tolerance Means Dialogue event hosted by the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law on Friday, March 27th, 2019. Featuring: Dialogue Catalysts: Robin Fretwell Wilson of the University of Illinois and Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Moderated by Zachary Gubler, Professor of Law, Arizona State University College of Law. Co-Sponsors: J Reuben Clark Law Society The Federalist Society OUTLaw ASU ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law

Tolerance Means Dialogue event hosted by the University of Alabama School of Law on Thursday, October 18th, 2018. Featuring: Dialogue Catalysts: Robin Fretwell Wilson of the University of Illinois Law School and William N. Eskridge of Yale Law School. Moderated by Daiquiri Steele, Professor of Law at the University of Alabama. Co-Sponsors: 1st Amendment Partnership The Federalist Society American Constitution Society The University of Alabama School of Law.

Tolerance Means Dialogue Constitution Day event hosted by the University of Illinois School of Law on September 17th, 2018. Featuring: Dialogue Catalysts: Robin Fretwell Wilson of the University of Illinois and Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Moderated by: Gretchen Winter, Executive Director of the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society of the Gies College of Business. Co-Sponsors: American Constitution Society Christian Legal Society Federalist Society OUT!LAW First Amendment Partnership

Tolerance Means Dialogue event hosted by Loras University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law on Friday, April 26th, 2018. Featuring: Dialogue Catalysts: Robin Fretwell Wilson of the University of Illinois and John Corvino of Wayne State University, and stude nt winners of the Tolerance Scholarship.

Tolerance Means Dialogue event hosted by Loras University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law on Friday, April 4th, 2018. Featuring: Dialogue Catalysts: (with Shannon Minter, general counsel, National Center for Lesbian Rights and Thomas Berg, St. Thomas University School of Law, and winners of tolerance scholarship)