From Riots to Rights
Sat, Sep 27
|Irving Archives and Museum
A conversational, thought-provoking presentation that traces LGBTQ legal history from the 1950s to today while examining the challenges that still lie ahead.
Time & Location
Sep 27, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Irving Archives and Museum, 801 W Irving Blvd, Irving, TX 75060, USA
Guests
About the event
From Riots to Rights is a dynamic presentation that takes audiences on a journey through the legal milestones that have shaped LGBTQ rights in the United States. Beginning with the repression of the 1950s, it moves through moments of tragedy, resilience, and triumph, including Stonewall, the fight for marriage equality, and employment protections. The session also looks ahead to today’s most pressing Supreme Court cases and invites participants to reflect on how past struggles can inform future strategies for equality.
Derek Mergele-Rust is a Founding Partner at DebnamRust, P.C. and is an Adjunct
Professor of Law at the Texas Tech School of Law. He practices child welfare,
juvenile defense, estate planning, and probate law.
Derek’s child welfare practice is built around protecting the constitutional rights of