<p>Jim Obergefell draws from his unique experience at the heart of the Supreme Court marriage equality ruling to move and empower audiences to stand by their beliefs—and prove that love always wins. </p><p>A self-described accidental activist, Jim found himself in the role of caregiver for his partner of more than 20 years, John, as he neared the end of his life due to ALS. An unexpected series of events led to their decision to marry, eventually taking Jim to the Supreme Court and the landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges that resulted in victory for marriage equality.</p><p>Jim and co-author, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Debbie Cenziper, captured Jim and John’s story, as well as the stories of others involved in this case in the book <i>Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality</i>.</p><p>Now a self-described purposeful activist, Jim is dedicated to the fight for equality not just for the LGBTQ community, but for civil rights for all. In his moving story of love, loss, dedication, and commitment, Jim brings audiences along on his emotional and empowering journey and his continued efforts fighting for human rights. </p>
Plaintiff in the Landmark Supreme Court Marriage Equality Case
<ul><li><strong>Marriage Equality </strong></li><li>As the named plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, Jim is in a unique position to share the story of how love, loss, dedication and commitment can lead to a court decision positively impacting our entire nation. From a spontaneous decision to propose to his partner of more than 20 years to a call from President Obama on the plaza of the Supreme Court, Jim takes his audience along on his moving story about living up to his promises and commitments to the man he loved.</li><li><strong>LGBTQ Equality and Civil Rights</strong></li><li>A self-described accidental activist, Jim found himself in the center of the fight for marriage equality not by plan or desire to be an activist, but because he loved his husband. That experience changed Jim into a purposeful activist, now dedicated to the fight for equality for all. From marriage equality to bathroom bills, religious freedom “right to refusal” and conversion therapy, Jim shares his perspective as someone dedicated to the ideals of civil rights and equal justice under law.</li><li><strong>ALS</strong></li><li>When John, Jim's partner of 18 years, was diagnosed with ALS in 2011, their world was turned upside-down, as it is for all ALS patients and the people who love them. Drawing on John’s never-flagging positive attitude and Jim's commitment, they braved the next 28 months together. Join Jim as he talks about John’s strength of character and the challenges they faced together in the story of love, loss, and dedication in the face of a terrible disease.</li></ul>