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Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean: Same sex benefits the right thing to do

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photo Karl Dean

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville Mayor Karl Dean says offering benefits to the same sex partners of Metro employees is the right thing to do and is a matter of tolerance.

Dean told The Tennessean he supports the idea as long as it makes financial sense for the city.

A panel is being formed to study the cost of such a policy change.

Dean, a Democrat, says he’s not “driven by a political agenda.”

Instead, Dean says, he’s following the corporate world in liberalizing benefits policies will make the city more attractive. Dean cites the three T’s coined by author Richard Florida, who says a flourishing city has technology, talent and tolerance.