Chris AndersonChattanooga City Councilman Chris Anderson said he’s working on legislation that would likely give health insurance and benefits to city employees with same-sex spouses or domestic partners.
Anderson plans to introduce the policy change in September or October in a move that would mirror Collegedale’s policy shift earlier this month.
“Folks in Collegedale are already giving me a hard time,” said Anderson, who is openly gay.
His plan comes as supporters announced a same-sex marriage rally set for Aug. 31 on the steps of City Hall. More than 200 people are expected. Speakers include Anderson and Kat Cooper, the Collegedale detective who successfully pushed for that city to change its benefits policy.
That is also the day Tennessee lawmakers set aside this year to honor traditional marriage. In April, legislators passed a resolution designating Aug. 31 as a day to celebrate marriage. The resolution cites Genesis 2:24, which states marriage “is expressed only between a man and a wife.”