An author and activist who has made appearances on shows such as “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “The Late Show with David Letterman” will discuss growing up with two moms and the meaning of family on campus tonight.
Zach Wahls will speak in Pruis Hall at 7:30 p.m. Wahls gained attention after a video of him testifying before the Iowa House Judiciary against a proposed amendment that would define marriage in Iowa as between one man and one woman two years ago went viral. The amendment, House Joint Resolution Six, was not passed by the Senate.
“There has been a lot of conversation over the last several months, and really over the last couple years, about same-sex marriage and how we are going to define a family in society,” Mitch Isaacs, associate director of Student Life, said. “I think it’s a timely topic and I think that it’s one that people have passionate feelings about.”
Now after writing a book, Wahls speaks at many different schools. He spoke at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis last semester.
“I want people to know that regardless of where they stand on this issue that there is something here for them,” Isaacs said. “I think people, just from a public speaking point of view, are really going to appreciate his style. I think they can also expect a passionate message. Zach speaks from a personal place with his experience with his family.”
Isaacs said students will be able to relate to Wahls.
“He is [21] years old,” Isaacs said. “He was only 19 when he decided to speak to the Iowa House of Representatives. A college student can make a difference, right now, today. I want students to know that they have that in them themselves and that they are encouraged to find it.”
Wahls will have dinner before the presentation with students from Spectrum, Housing and Residence Life and the SafeZone project.
