Smyrna Considers Giving Benefits to Same-Sex Couples

The Smyrna City Council discussed a policy change during their Monday work session that would allow same-sex partners of city employees to receive the same benefits their heterosexual counterparts receive.

The Marietta Daily Journal reports that the measure, if approved, would extend health insurance coverage and bereavement privileges to same-sex couples who are jointly responsible for living expenses, live at the same address, and plan to stay together indefinitely.

Council members Teri Anulewicz, Andrea Blustein, and Wade Lnenicka all voiced support of the proposal to the MDJ, while Councilman Charles Welch said he would vote against the proposal.

Welch said he would vote against the proposal due to fears it would be taken advantage of by heterosexual people living together as roommates who wish to gain Smyrna city employee benefits fraudulently. Welch added that he was morally opposed to same-sex partnerships, adding to his decision to vote no.

Mayor Pro Tem Melleny Pritchett and Mayor Max Bacon were not reached for comment in time. Council members Ron Fennel and Susan Wilkinson said it was too soon for them to make a decision on the issue.

Voting on the policy will have to wait, as City Manager Eric Taylor reminded the council that any such policy change must pass legal scrutiny before it can go before them. Even if the policy was deemed legally sound, council members said that it was far too early in the process to bring it to a vote, though Lnenicka seemed hopeful that the decision could be made by November.

If the policy is adopted, the City of Smyrna would be the first governmental body in Cobb County to offer spousal benefits to same-sex couples.

Do you support the extension of benefits such as health insurance and bereavement leave to same-sex couples? Tell us in the comments!