The first class will cover the evolution of LGBTQ+ family law in the United States and will be presented by LGBTQ+ legal expert and Cardozo Professor and former Vice Dean Edward Stein, author of The Mismeasure of Desire, The Science, Theory and Ethics of Sexual Orientation and other scholarly works on sexual identity and the law. Stein will cover the evolution of LGBTQ+ family law in the United States.

Dmytro Vovk runs the Center for Rule of Law and Religion Studies at Yaroslav the Wise National Law University in Kharkiv, Ukraine. He was an expert on human rights and rule of law for USAID, OSCE/ODIHR, Council of Europe and Constitutional Commission of Ukraine. Voyk will discuss "Religious Freedom and LGBTQ+ Rights: The European Court of Human Right's Perspective."

Rachel B.Tiven is a civil rights leader turned historian. As the head of national non-profits Lambda Legal, Immigration Equality, and Immigrant Justice Corps, Tiven fought for equality for immigrants and LGBTQ/HIV+ people.  Tiven has been recognized for her work by the Advocate magazine, New York County Lawyers Association and United We Dream. She will discuss "A History of U.S. Immigration Exclusion."

Kate Shaw is a Professor of Law and the Co-Director of the Floersheimer Center for Constitutional Democracy. Before joining Cardozo, she worked in the White House Counsel’s Office as a Special Assistant to the President and Associate Counsel to the President. She clerked for Justice John Paul Stevens of the U.S. Supreme Court and Judge Richard A. Posner of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Deborah Pearlstein is Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Floersheimer Center for Constitutional Democracy.  Pearlstein has repeatedly testified before Congress on topics from war powers to executive branch oversight. Her work on the U.S. Constitution, international law, and national security has appeared widely in law journals and the popular press.

Kailey Roberts is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology specializing in bereavement and existential psychotherapy. Roberts' research and teaching focuses on understanding existential distress and supporting individuals facing adversity through connection to their unique sense of meaning, identity and purpose. Jennifer Cooper, is an Assistant Professor at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. Cooper’s research agenda is focused on preventing and treating youth mental, emotional and behavioral issues through improving the use of multi-tier frameworks and culturally responsive evidence-based practices in schools. They will discuss "Cultivating Psychosocial Wellbeing in LGBTQIA+ Individuals and Communities."