Video: Starkville Aldermen Override Mayor’s Veto; Equality Repeal Stands

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — Starkville aldermen override the Mayor’s veto to repeal the equality resolution and plus one health insurance.

It was 5-2 vote in front of an overflow crowd Tuesday evening at city hall. Residents on both sides of the issue spoke out during the meeting. Some said the vote to rescind the equality resolution and plus one health insurance policy in executive session lacked transparency, and was laced with discrimination.

Other members of the community said that the repeal should stand, and that traditional family values should take priority in the city. One MSU student says, the board’s decision about health insurance goes beyond the LGBT community.

“We have look at it as a gay issue,but I don’t see it as just a gay issue. It doesn’t just affect gay and lesbian people, it also affects single parents who have dependents, maybe a grandmother at home. It affects everyone.” Christopher Wilbourn.

The move means that the repeal stands. Ward 5 Alderman Scott Maynard and Ward 4 Alderman Jason Walker were the only two to vote against the override.

The Human Rights Campaign issued the following statement about the alderman’s vote:

Jackson– The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, released the following statement in response to the Starkville Board of Alderman’s vote tonight on two key issues of LGBT equality. The Board voted to override the Mayor’s veto thereby rescinding the city’s equality resolution and plus-one healthcare benefits for Starkville municipal employees. HRC Mississippi director Rob Hill released the following statement.

“Though upsetting and disappointing, the board’s vote tells us that we must do more community engagement to show the leaders of Starkville that equality is important to move the city forward. Fairness and inclusion is critical to attracting new business to Starkville, diverse students to Mississippi State and quality workers to join the city’s workforce. Mayor Parker Wiseman showed tremendous leadership, courage and confidence to represent all residents of Starkville, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBT people are our friends, neighbors, coworkers and family members, and we must ensure all people are welcomed within their communities.”