Tomorrow is a BIG day for Marriage Equality in Mississippi

Mississippi is latest battleground in fight for same-sex marriage

Lawsuit seeks to strike down state’s ban on gay marriage

UPDATED 7:57 AM CST Nov 11, 2014

JACKSON, Miss. —Mississippi is the latest battle line in the fight for gay marriage.

A lawsuit is seeking to strike down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, which could allow gay couples to wed as soon as this week.

Carla Webb and Joce Pritchett are among those who filed the lawsuit. They met and fell in love 11 years ago in Jackson. Last year, Carla surprised Joce with a September wedding in Maine.

Watch the report

“Sept. 7, right? I’m terrible with dates. She has to remind me,” Pritchett said.

“I do,” Webb said.

Pritchett and Webb have a 6-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son. In Mississippi, their marriage in Maine is not recognized. They said that’s a threat to their family.

“When there’s nothing in writing, or that legally protects your kids from other people, it’s a frightening way to live,” Pritchett said.

The couple said fertility doctors in Mississippi refused to treat them, so an out-of-state fertility specialist transferred Webb’s eggs to Pritchett, who gave birth to the children.

“We didn’t understand at the time that when I carried them, that makes them legally mine, according to the state of Mississippi,” Pritchett said. “So they’re Carla’s biological children, but she has no legal rights to them at all.”

The couple wants the option for Webb to legally adopt her children.

A federal judge will hold a hearing Wednesday that could be historic for gay rights in Mississippi.

“The best case scenario is that he agrees with us that the laws should be struck down and that he allows his decision to take effect immediately,” said Rob McDuff, attorney for the plaintiffs.

Attorneys said a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs would force the state to recognize same-sex marriages performed out of state. It would also make it legal for gay couples to marry.

16 WAPT’s Keegan Foxx interviews Carla Webb and Joce Pritchett.

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Gay rights advocate Eddie Outlaw is hosting a reception Wednesday night, after the hearing. He said he’ll have officiants on-hand ready to perform a marriage ceremony, just in case.

“There will be people on-hand, ready, and if our county clerks are prepared to issue marriage licenses that day (gay) people will marry in Mississippi,” Outlaw said.

Both Gov. Phil Bryant and Attorney General Jim Hood are defendants in the lawsuit.

“The governor took an oath of office to defend the Constitution of the state of Mississippi and that’s what he intends to do,” said Knox Graham, a spokesman for the governor.

Jan Schaeffer, Hood’s spokeswoman, said the attorney general’s “court filings will speak for us.”

Several outcomes are possible Wednesday. But no matter what happens, marriage equality could be forced on Mississippi because the state is part of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, along with Texas and Louisiana, and both states have pending appeals regarding same-sex marriages. Those cases will be heard the week of Jan. 5.

“Once there is a decision in the Fifth Circuit, in either the Louisiana case or the Texas case, or our case if it makes it there by that time, that decision will govern all three states,” McDuff said.

Webb and Pritchett said it’s a bit scary being the first to take this legal step in Mississippi, but it’s for the sake of their family.

“This is our family and we’re a loving family, and I think we’re loving people,” Webb said. “We just want to take care of our family. We don’t want to make other people do things they don’t want to do.”

Instapoll 16: Should same-sex marriage be legal in Mississippi? Cast your vote by calling or texting 601-980-4416 and entering “1” for yes or “2” for no.

Campaign for Southern Equality v. Bryant

Mississippi’s Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Challenged in Federal Court; Attorney Roberta Kaplan Brings Suit on Behalf of Two Couples and the Campaign for Southern Equality

A federal challenge to Mississippi’s law banning same-sex marriage was filed today in the Southern District of Mississippi on behalf of two same-sex couples, – Andrea Sanders and Rebecca Bickett, and Jocelyn Pritchett and Carla Webb – and the Campaign for Southern Equality (CSE). Campaign for Southern Equality, et. al. v. Bryant, et. al. challenges the constitutionality of marriage laws in Mississippi that ban marriage between same-sex couples and deny recognition of same-sex marriages performed out of state.

Lawsuit documents are available at: http://bit.ly/1ybt7Ac

Mississippi’s gay marriage ban challenged in federal court

Mississippi’s gay marriage ban challenged in federal court

By Ashton Pittman October 20, 2014

Deep South Daily

While Becky Bickett and Andrea Sanders apply for a marriage license in Jackson, Mississippi, one of their twin sons – whose adoptions were only completed the day before – makes friends with Hinds County Circuit Clerk Barbara Dunn. Though Dunn said she was required by state law to deny their request for a marriage license, she made a promise: “When the law changes, I’ll change with it.” Their request for a license was part of a series of actions by the We Do Campaign and the Campaign for Southern Equality on March 25, 2014. / Photo by Ashton Pittman

The attorney who successfully  argued for the overturn of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in United States v. Windsor has a new target: Mississippi. Lead counsel Roberta Kaplan filed a suit Monday against Mississippi’s ban on same-sex marriage on behalf of two Mississippi couples and the Campaign for Southern Equality, which issued an afternoon press release announcing the suit. Kaplan was joined by local counsel Robert McDuff of McDuff & Byrd in Jackson.

“As the lawyers who represented Edie Windsor, we are so honored to be able to file this case today on behalf of Rebecca Bickett, Andrea Sanders, Jocelyn Pritchett, Carla Webb, and the Campaign for Southern Equality,” Kaplan said. “The Supreme Court took a gigantic step forward last year in Windsor, and since then, dozens of courts around the country have followed suit so that today, gay people in thirty-two states have the right to marry.

“It is now time to take the next big step by making sure that gay families in Mississippi are accorded these same protections. The Supreme Court has made it clear that no matter where a gay person lives —whether it is in Maine, Minnesota, or Mississippi—our Constitution requires that they be treated with the same dignity and respect under the law as everyone else.”

The 2013 Windsor ruling overturned the Defense of Marriage Act, which barred the federal government from recognizing gay marriages even when performed in states that recognize them. That ruling set the stage for the barrage of pro-marriage equality rulings that have followed since.

Activists, led by Campaign for Southern Equality Executive Director Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, march for marriage equality in Jackson, Mississippi on March 25, 2014. / Photo by Ashton Pittman

“It’s time we are able to live with legal protections in our home state,” said plaintiff Jocelyn Pritchett, a Mississippi native who shares a son with her partner, Carla Webb. “We love Mississippi – it is home for us and we have many beautiful friends and family members here. We hope to help create a Mississippi that reflects the hospitality of her people – by creating a legally safe environment for all Mississippi families.”

In Mississippi, 26 percent of gay couples are raising children, according to the Williams Institute. That means that – despite Mississippi’s poor record on LGBT rights – Mississippi has the highest proportion of LGBT couples raising children in the United States.

“My family is no less a family than any other,” said plaintiff Rebecca Bickett, who is raising twin sons with her partner Andrea Sanders, who she’s been with for ten years. Despite their long relationship, they have been unable to afford to travel out-of-state to wed.

“All across Mississippi, we work with loving, committed LGBT families who are proud to call the state home. But they also suffer the harms of discrimination daily. Equality cannot come quickly enough to Mississippi for these families,” says Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Executive Director of the Campaign for Southern Equality.

The filings for the lawsuit, Campaign for Southern Equality, et al. v. Bryant, can be seen here.

LGBT Images from the Deep South

Images from the Deep South

October 20, 2014 | by Michael Key

Blade reporter Michael K. Lavers and I earlier this year pitched the idea of going to Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi to see what LGBT life is like in the South. Living in D.C., we wanted to see for ourselves just how different the experience was for our brothers and sisters who make their homes in places not known for LGBT inclusiveness. Our editor sent us out to gather stories and pictures. We had absolutely no idea what was in store for us. – See more at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/10/20/pictures-from-the-south/#sthash.8XYo2fl8.dpuf

One man’s quest to undermine his cousin’s marriage to a transgender man

Follow breaking news @lgbtqnation

ROB WATSON
Dad, LGBT activist, businessman and blogger, evoL

Sunday, October 12, 2014

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Nick, a transgender male, and his wife Jessica

Once upon a time there were two cousins, Jessica and Robby. They grew up together in the warm and wet Mississippi back lands. They swam, they fished and Jessica loved and respected her cousin. He gave her the sense of understanding family and loyalty.

That sense of family and loyalty was upended completely recently when Robby recently ran to the American Family Association — an entity defined by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a “hate” organization — to get their help in humiliating and attacking Jessica’s marriage. Robby has never met Jessica’s husband.

Jessica and her husband, Nick, are legally married. Nick is a transgender male. A mutual friend introduced them a few years ago.

Jessica states:

“Nick has been my best friend since day one. We can always count on the other one during the hardest times in life. While he was in paramedic school, Nick felt my full encouragement through the whole way and I never gave up on his dream with him.  We stand by each other through every thing just as a husband and wife should. I know at the end of the day I can count on him and that’s what real romance looks like. Our love is the kind some people only dream about and I’m very lucky to be able to say I found that in this life with him.”

On the afternoon of September 23, Jessica got a private message from her cousin Robby out of the blue.

It said: “Jessica, I want you to know that I love you both as a person and as my family. You hand I practically grew up together, and I don’t want you to think that I am angry with you. But I have to tell you that what you and Nick are doing is wrong, and I am going to be doing all that I can to challenge it. I realize this might upset you, but I have to do what is right as difficult as it is going to be.”

Jessica had no idea what he meant about “challenging it,” but she was soon to find out.

That evening, Robby posted this to his Facebook wall: “Last week I learned of a same sex marriage that took place right here in the state of Mississippi. Two females, one of which is a family member of mine, applied for and was granted an official marriage license in Desoto county. One of the partners poses as a man and managed to obtain a driver’s license that legally identified her as a male. I would like to urge all Mississippians who are outraged to join me. This is a battle that has come to us and we cannot afford to lose traditional marriage.”Then he then gave the phone numbers of the attorney general, lieutenant governor and the governor.

Around midnight, Jessica received another private message from a woman she had never met.

“You need to see this video,” the message said. The video was her cousin Robby on a show with the AFA’s Bryan Fisher. Bryan Fisher is infamous for homophobic statements that include the encouragement of the kidnapping of children from LGBT families. They were making public Jessica and Nick’s names, implying that they were criminals, that their marriage was a fraud scheme and stating out and out lies as fact.

Click here to watch the Video

“The video makes it seem like we did all of this to pull one over on the state of Mississippi, and that’s nowhere close to the truth.” Jessica said.

“Mine is not an illegal marriage in any state, because it is not a same sex union at all. That is not legal in this state, and there is no ‘loop hole’ for that to be possible. Nick actually transitioned from female to male, and had his name and gender legally changed complete with birth certificate, social security card, drivers license, and all medical licenses. After all of that was completed we were able to apply for our marriage license and got married, the same as any other opposite gender couple.” Bryan Fisher characterizes Jessica and Nick as two lesbians, one of which had a hormone shot, and then fraudulently had records changed.

Nick’s process to his correct gender started before 2010. He had undergone full psychiatric exams in preparation. In 2010 he started a permanent hormone therapy program and had physiological operations in support of his transition.

Nick works as a paramedic saving lives and he has been seen as a true hero in his community. The AFA’s intrusion into his private life, and their dishonest portrayal has now caused him issues at work.

Jessica reports, “While he is out saving strangers lives, we have to worry about the safety of our family and his career. It takes teamwork from his fellow co-workers and since the videos and articles have come out, he has been treated like an outcast.”

Many that Nick worked with had only known of him as male, his actual gender. Now feel they have license to judge.

Jessica reached out to the popular Twitter site Stop-Homophobia. “Help us,” she asked, attaching a link to the AFA video. She began hearing from many people who have showered love and support. Those messages helped her deal with her feelings of betrayal and crisis over what family was supposed to be about.

“For me when I saw the video I felt it was one of the worst betrayals ever, to find out that someone made us out so horribly, and on top of it for it to come from a family member. The feelings we felt over this outrage, words can’t describe. We are being vilified for the same loving and commitment other married Mississippi couples share with each other. Our right to commit to each other for the rest of time is being portrayed as everything it’s not. The video want to portray us as deceivers who did all of this to pull one over on the state of Mississippi, and that’s nowhere close to the truth. The truth is our marriage is built out of the love we have for each other.”

“We are very grateful for the support and love that we have come across through this attempt to humiliate us,” Jessica states. “So much of our family have stepped up and let us know they are open minded and accepting and loving. The members of Nick’s family are powerful defenders of him as a man and a hero. Especially his dad, who has always been his biggest supporter. My family accepts Nick as the person for who he really is, especially my sister and most of them right here in Mississippi.”

This has given Jessica and Nick a new definition to, not the word “marriage,” but the word “family.”

Blood cousin Robby is not family. The “American Family Association” is not an association of families; it is an association of those who want to attack families that do not look exactly like a set of limited parameters. Those who see his life saving work but who cannot see Nick as he is, are not family. It is the people who love, support and celebrate him who are the true family, and Jessica and Nick are blessed to have many who have such qualifications in their lives.

“Nick taught me what marriage is,” Jessica commented. “Now someone I grew up with has caused me to re-look at what I thought being family meant. It does not mean blood and telling falsehoods to meet an agenda. It means love and honesty. I stand corrected, and we are now a stronger family as a result.”

Sharing DNA is no big deal. A person’s ability to look deep, push past their own pre-conceived notions to better understand a family member they love, and then stand up for them, that ability brings the greatest value in life. Some will learn they have that ability within themselves and stand proud. Others will make videos.

State’s gay marriage ban’s days appear numbered

Geoff Pender, The Clarion-Ledger 10:39 a.m. CDT October 9, 2014

UPDATE: Gov. Phil Bryant statement:

“In 2004, over 86 percent of Mississippi voters supported a constitutional amendment providing that marriage in Mississippi is valid only between a man and a woman. I will continue to uphold the constitution of the state of Mississippi.”

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Mississippi, could provide the catalyst for the Supreme Court to decide the gay marriage issue once and for all, nationwide.

And it’s likely, many legal experts believe, bans on gay marriage such as Mississippi’s will fall.

“I am opposed to same-sex marriage, but I believe the time has come for people of faith in Mississippi to prepare for the overturning of our constitutional ban on it,” said state Rep. Andy Gipson, House judiciary chairman.

Here’s why:

• The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear appeals from five states where federal appeals courts declared same-sex marriage bans unconstitutional. This will essentially expand same-sex marriage to 11 states covered by these districts, bringing the total to 30.

• The cases the high court let slide were all federal rulings against gay marriage bans. A ruling from another district appeals court upholding a state’s ban would essentially force the U.S. Supreme Court to step in and deal with conflicting rulings. The conservative Fifth Circuit or Sixth Circuit are the most likely to uphold a same-sex marriage ban.

• The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday agreed to expedite hearing cases challenging Texas’ and Louisiana’s bans on gay marriage. Early this year, a Texas federal judge ruled the ban was unconstitutional, but issued a stay pending the state’s appeal. A Louisiana federal judge recently upheld that state’s ban.

• With the Supreme Court this week allowing the decisions against the state bans to stand, legal experts say it’s unlikely the court would then rule in favor of any state bans.

“It’s really hard to imagine the Supreme Court would have allowed thousands of same-sex couples to get married, including in some very conservative areas like Utah, and then turn around and say, ‘Just kidding, there’s nothing wrong with state bans,'” said Sarah Warbelow, legal director for the Human Rights Campaign.

Mississippi attorney Wesley Hisaw said, “If the federal government can’t discriminate on same sex marriage, logically, how could the state discriminate?” Hisaw is representing Lauren Czekala-Chatham, who is suing to have Mississippi recognize her California same-sex marriage so it can grant her a divorce.

A DeSoto County Chancery judge in 2013 ruled Mississippi’s Constitution and laws prevent granting a divorce. The state Supreme Court has agreed to hear Czekala-Chatham’s appeal. Gov. Phil Bryant, represented by a Christian legal group, is intervening in the case, opposing the appeal.

Hisaw said he doesn’t know when the state high court might hear the case or rule, but it’s possible Czekala-Chatham’s case “could be the one that goes up there” to the U.S. Supreme Court if it were decided and appealed before other federal cases.

In Mississippi and other Bible Belt states, the gay marriage issue remains contentious.

“I do think the bans are in jeopardy because of out-of-control, rogue renegade judges at every level of our federal judiciary,” said Bryan Fischer, director of issue analysis at the Tupelo-based American Family Association. “The federal judiciary has become the place where the Constitution and democracy go to die.”

Fischer said federal government and courts should have no jurisdiction over state marriage laws.

“There is no mention of the word marriage or homosexuality in the federal Constitution, so it should be left exclusively to the states,” Fischer said.

Brian Little of Crystal Springs, who recently married his longtime partner in an out-of-state ceremony, said the courts are needed to establish fairness.

“Had the South voted on ending slavery or segregation, I’m not sure when those would have ended,” Little said. “The courts are here to make educated and fair decisions that are blind, noble and above the level of the general population …. I wish the Supreme Court would go on and strike (same-sex marriage bans) down nationwide.”

Gipson, who is also a Baptist minister, said he believes his opposition to same-sex marriage is consistent with the views of most Mississippians. He points to the 2004 vote on a constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriages being conducted or recognized in Mississippi. It passed with 86 percent of the vote.

But Gipson said that legally, the writing appears to be on the wall for such bans with federal courts.

“I’ve said that preaching at my church,” Gipson said. “It’s coming. People of religious conviction need to be processing what this means for the culture, and how we will respond to these issues in coming years – how we will maintain our religious convictions in this environment.”

National Coming out Day: ‘Beyond boxes and prescribed labels’

The Reflector

Tuesday, October 7, 2014 7:00 am

D.J. Wormley

Nicholas Guittar, assistant professor of sociology at University of South Carolina-Lancaster, will present “Beyond Boxes and Prescribed Labels: Coming Out in 2014” Oct. 8  at Mississippi State University on behalf of National Coming out Day on Oct. 11.

Kimberly Kelly, Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of Gender Studies at MSU, said Guittar’s talk will mainly focus on his interviews with different people who are of the homosexual orientation and different experiences they have had with coming out.

“Guittar for his dissertation did a large number of interviews with different people who are gay or lesbian about the coming out process and wrote a book on this, so his talk is going to be based on the data he has collected from various people who talked to him about their experiences of coming out,” Kelly said.

Kelly said events like this help increase awareness about the history of the gay rights movement and the lives of people who are gay.

“Having events like this honors the struggle and the history of the movement for gay rights and the personal experiences and lives of people who are LGBT,” Kelly said. “This is important because it is about recognizing their humanity and equality with everyone else.”

Ashley Baker, program assistant for gender studies, said Guittar will address different topics involved with coming out.  “Guittar will be discussing topics about identity, coming out, and how to make campus a safer environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender/transsexual (LGBT) individuals,” Baker said.

According to Baker, these topics are important because discrimination and abuse of homosexuals are still dominant in today’s society.

“These  topics are important because we still live in a time where everyone does not feel comfortable or safe being themselves in public,”  she said.  “We still have issues of discrimination and hate crimes that occur in our country because of individuals sexual and/or gender identity.  LGBT individuals still do not have equal rights in Mississippi and in other states across the country.”

Baker said Guittar’s  research on coming out will benefit MSU’s campus and the state of Mississippi. “His book ‘Coming Out: The New Dynamics’ was released this year and helps expands our knowledge and understanding of the coming out process,” Baker said.

Jennifer Carruth, president of  Delta Omega Lambda, said coming out is important because gays and lesbians need to know they have people who support them and accept them for who they are.

“The topic of coming out is important for many reasons. LGBT people have a higher rate of depression, anxiety and suicide because they are marginalized and discriminated against. Coming Out is not just about LGBT people being seen, it is about straight allies coming out as well,” Carruth said.

Carruth also said having a support system is essential for creating a place where people feel comfortable discussing issues facing LGBT people.

“It is about becoming catalysts for positive change. It is about telling people that they are loved for who they are and that they should not feel like they have to hide or put up with being bullied. Words hurt, and it makes a huge difference when you speak up for someone who is being treated unfairly or bullied. All MSU Bulldogs should feel safe, loved, and comfortable to be themselves,” Carruth said.

SCOTUS Action Spurs LGBT Activists in Mississippi

SCOTUS Action Spurs LGBT Activists in Mississippi

Jackson Free Press By R.L. Nave October 6, 2014

The Human Rights Campaign issued the following statement on today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision declining to hear several marriage equality cases before the court:

HRC Mississippi committed to advancing fairness and ensuring justice across Mississippi

WASHINGTON, DC—Today’s Supreme Court action provides momentum for equality work across Mississippi, and reinforces the need for protections in housing, employment and public accommodations for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Mississippians. The Supreme Court made history—bringing final marriage victories to five states and paving the way for possibly six more. But although marriage equality is now the law of the land in 24 states, today’s victory didn’t extent to LGBT Mississippians.

“Any time same-sex couples are extended marriage equality is something to celebrate, and today is a joyous day for thousands across America who will immediately feel the impact of today’s Supreme Court action,” said HRC Mississippi Director Rob Hill. “But this news is an unfortunate reminder that LGBT Mississippians still lack basic legal protections against discrimination, and cannot legally marry the person they love in the place they call home.”

LGBT Mississippians are just as worthy of full legal equality as folks living elsewhere across the country, and they should be given the same dignity and respect. It is for this reason that HRC remains fully committed to creating one America for LGBT people, united under a single banner of fairness.

HRC Mississippi is working to advance equality for LGBT Mississippians who have no protections in housing, workplace, or public accommodations; legal state recognition for their relationships and families; state rights to jointly adopt children; and state protections from hate crimes. Through HRC Mississippi, we are working toward a future of fairness every day–changing hearts, minds and laws toward achieving full equality.

My Opinion of the Starkville Mississippi Plus One Insurance Debacle

Recently, Starkville MS Board of Aldermen voted on a Plus One insurance benefit. The plan was passed by the board and everything seemed great until…the Human Rights Campaign issued a press release applauding Starkville for being the first Mississippi city to grant domestic partnership benefits to LGBTQ city employees.

Just as soon as the word got out that the city may actually be helping LGBTQ employees, the Board of Aldermen called a special meeting to take another look at the Plus One benefit. During that meeting, the board rescinded their previous vote to include the Plus One option, and suggested that is be limited to only those who were considered legally married under Mississippi Law.

Later, Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman vetoed the boards action and Plus One was back. The Board met. Again, words were exchanged between the community and the board. Some in favor of the insurance, some opposed, and the board voted. Fortunately for Starkville employees. The Board failed to gain enough votes to override the Mayors veto and Plus One benefit stands. But it was not a pretty win.

I witnessed more hate and bigotry in the name of Christianity than I had ever witnessed before. Some of the words that were said brought me to tears because to even think that someone could twist the words and cherry pick passages to disseminate HATE and DISCRIMINATION in a Government meeting was beyond my comprehension. The videos of the Starkville BoA meetings can be seen here. The original meeting where Plus One was passed was 9-2-14, the meeting where it was rescinded was 9-16-14 and the meeting where the Board voted to override the mayor’s veto was on 9-23-14.

This shameful behavior from so called Christians and Ministers of Christianity is one reason that Church pews are coming up a little more empty on Sundays. The youth of today don’t have time or desire to hear hate and discrimination spewed from the pulpit much the same at it was used to promote slavery, and later segregation in the Jim Crow South. True Christians don’t use the Bible to promote bigotry and and hate or let those who do win.

I grew up in one of those heel fire and brimstone churches that propagated hate, misogyny, and discrimination. I feel better for it knowing I came out a loving, feminist, well educated person, but I still hold the scars of the past that I grew up in.

One thing that really gets to me is that a 2010 poll by Pew research showed that “Atheists and agnostics, Jews and Mormons are among the highest-scoring groups on a new survey of religious knowledge, outperforming evangelical Protestants, mainline Protestants and Catholics on questions about the core teachings, history and leading figures of major world religions.” This means that they very core group perpetuating these views of hate and discrimination don’t even know enough Bible to beat an Athiest much less back up their own hatred. They are merely lemmings blindly following whatever is said on Sunday morning and taking it as truth and “gospel”.

I don’t know the Bible as a book that teaches hate and discrimination. I know it as teaching love your neighbor and do unto others as you would have done to you. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 Says “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

It seems to me that using common sense, Plus One means just that… Plus One, the “One” should not matter whether it is a child, other relative, common law partner, or same sex partner. Many people can benefit from this coverage, this isn’t about doing something for LGBTQ people, yes it may help them, but it doesn’t just help that group of people, it will help many others who could benefit from more affordable health insurance. But to remove the option from everyone just because there is a possibility that a LGBTQ couple could benefit from it is beyond wrong.

Singling out one specific group of people based on religious principles that are supposed to be separate from government is not just wrong, it is outward discrimination, something that the Board of Aldermen voted unanimously NOT to do earlier this year when they became the first city to pass a non-discrimination resolution specifically naming LGBTQ people. The resolution states, “Discrimination against a person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, veteran’s status, disability or source of income to be anathema to the public policy of the City.”

You do not have to like LGBTQ people, or agree with the way they live, but most likely you are not a member of the Starkville Board of Aldermen, or a member of a government entity that is supposed to be separate from religion, or have we forgotten about the separation of church and state?

The members of the Board of Aldermen, have already agreed to treat ALL people of Starkville equally with respect, and dignity. This benefit is not and was never about LGBTQ people, it was about helping ANY employee of Starkville no matter their “race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, veteran’s status, disability or source of income” afford health insurance for themselves and one other person in their household.

Betty DeGeneres, Ellen’s mom made this comparison in her book Just a Mom: “Let me suggest that we all know someone who is left-handed. Lefties make up roughly the same percentage [of the population] as gay people. And yet millions of Americans say they don’t know someone who is gay. Unless those people who claim ignorance are living in a place called Fantasyland, they are most likely mistaken.”

LGBTQ people are our sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins. They are our co-workers, caregivers, and church brothers and sisters. This is a fact and it isn’t going away. And one last word to those people who say they don’t know anyone who is gay. Yes, YOU probably know someone who is LGBTQ, even if they are not “Out of the closet”. The reason you think you don’t know someone is because unlike how LGBTQ people are sometimes portrayed in the media, flamboyant and loud… LGBTQ people are mostly just normal people living normal lives right beside you everyday.