STARKVILLE, Miss. – LGBT workers in Starkville may still be able put their partners’ names on their health insurance policies.
As expected, Mayor Parker Wiseman, Friday vetoed the Board of Aldermen’s decision not to allow city workers to add one other adult, including same sex partners, to their plan.
Following a 7-0 unanimous vote earlier this month to extend the medical benefits, Starkville was praised by the LGBT community for its decision. The city gained national attention for becoming the first municipality in Mississippi to allow its LBGT workers to add their partners.
But Tuesday, the Board reversed that decision, claiming they did not have all the information on what the insurance would cover. Members voted 4-2 to limit coverage to only couples recognized as legally married under Mississippi laws. The change would exclude gay couples, even if they married in other states, as well as males and females who live together in long-term relationships.
