Karen Thompson gained national recognition following the November 13, 1983 car accident of her partner Sharon Kowalski, who sustained a traumatic brain injury after a drunk driver hit her car. After the accident, Sharon’s biological family refused to acknowledge or accept Sharon’s relationship with Karen and kept them apart for more than 3 1/2 years. After an 8-year battle, Karen was awarded legal custody of Sharon.

Karen now speaks across the country to raise awareness for human rights issues, including the legal protection of LGBTQIA relationships.

UCSC presents Karen Thompson in a lecture titled “Love is a Dangerous Promise” on Thursday, March 7, at  7 p.m., in the Second Stage Theater in the Performing Arts Center on the UCSC campus. Admission is free, and the public is invited. Free tickets to the lecture are available at santacruztickets.com. For more information, call (831) 459-2698.

This event is sponsored by the UC Santa Cruz Humanities Division, the UC Santa Cruz Feminist Studies Department, the Women Lawyers of Santa Cruz County, the UC Presidential Chair in Feminist Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, and UCSC’s Cantu Center.