Katherine Franke

Katherine Franke is the James L. Dohr Professor of Law at Columbia University and the founder and faculty director of the Law, Rights, and Religion Project.

A protester is arrested at a Columbia University demonstration.

Columbia Is Waging War on Dissent Columbia Is Waging War on Dissent

The university is under pressure to root out any students or faculty critical of Israel—and it’s already caved.

Apr 1, 2024 / Highlights / Katherine Franke

Holly Maguigan stands at a podium smiling, giving a speech.

When Women Fought Back: Holly Maguigan’s Legacy in the Law When Women Fought Back: Holly Maguigan’s Legacy in the Law

Her work forced the law to embrace a feminist conception of danger, threat, and defending yourself and your family.

Dec 14, 2023 / Katherine Franke

We’ve Entered a New Era of Tiered Constitutional Rights

We’ve Entered a New Era of Tiered Constitutional Rights We’ve Entered a New Era of Tiered Constitutional Rights

In a string of cases, the US Supreme Court’s conservative justices have elevated rights of religious liberty, free speech, and guns over other rights.

Jul 18, 2023 / Editorial / Katherine Franke

The Respect for Marriage Act Sets a Dangerous Precedent for Civil Rights

The Respect for Marriage Act Sets a Dangerous Precedent for Civil Rights The Respect for Marriage Act Sets a Dangerous Precedent for Civil Rights

The bill headed to Biden's desk includes a religious exemption that sets a troublesome precedent, not only for LGBTQ rights but possibly for all legislation.

Dec 9, 2022 / Katherine Franke

Diary of a Queer Kid

Diary of a Queer Kid Diary of a Queer Kid

My experience as a child with an “odd” gender identity makes me very afraid for kids facing malicious transphobia in Texas.

Apr 29, 2022 / Column / Katherine Franke

Religious Objectors to LGBTQ Equality Will Return to the Supreme Court

Religious Objectors to LGBTQ Equality Will Return to the Supreme Court Religious Objectors to LGBTQ Equality Will Return to the Supreme Court

Advocates will ask the court to protect faith-based objections to laws they find objectionable through the First Amendment’s Free Speech clause.

Mar 9, 2022 / Katherine Franke

Columbia Faculty Protests

Columbia University Has Lost Its Way Columbia University Has Lost Its Way

The Ivy League institution’s approach to the contract negotiations with its grad student workers reveals how it has evolved into a predatory business.

Jan 18, 2022 / StudentNation / Katherine Franke

What Conservative Justices Talk About When They Talk About Religious Liberty

What Conservative Justices Talk About When They Talk About Religious Liberty What Conservative Justices Talk About When They Talk About Religious Liberty

The conservative majority on the US Supreme Court has honed a new, radical approach to religious liberty, the significance of which cannot be overstated.

Jan 6, 2022 / Editorial / Katherine Franke for The Nation

Stonewall Inn

What Happened to the Radical Spirit of the Stonewall Rebels? What Happened to the Radical Spirit of the Stonewall Rebels?

The movement for LGBTQ rights has been domesticated, its goals refocused on marriage and family. It can be so much more.

Jun 30, 2019 / Reclaiming Stonewall / Katherine Franke

Lesbian Husbands and Gay Wives: The Gendering of Gay Divorce Lesbian Husbands and Gay Wives: The Gendering of Gay Divorce

Everyone knows marriage is gendered. But divorce is where cultural stereotypes become law.

Jul 3, 2013 / Katherine Franke

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