The Memphis City Council’s Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW) committee voted Tuesday morning to extend the utility’s spousal pension benefits to same-sex spouses of employees.
The change to MLGW’s pension plan is required under federal law following last summer’s U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage across the country.
The measure passed without much question, but new District 2 councilmember Frank Colvett actually said, “So same-sex couples can’t marry in Tennessee though.” To which an MLGW representative responded, “Absolutely they can.” To that, Colvett followed with “You mean if a couple marries in Alaska, we have to recognize it in Tennessee.” Sounds like Colvett is apparently clueless about the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage.
The resolution to amend MLGW’s pension plan to include updated language and remove “man and woman” from their definition of marriage will go to the full council meeting this evening. Since MLGW is required by federal law to make this change, it will likely pass.
MLGW
