Don’t Expect Same-Sex Benefits For Tennessee Workers Anytime Soon

Talking to reporters Monday, Gov. Bill Haslam chooses his words carefully in explaining that he doesn’t expect Tennessee to move toward benefits for same-sex partners of state workers. Credit: Blake Farmer / WPLN

In the last week, President Obama extended marriage benefits to federal employees in same-sex relationships. The Metro Council decided city employees can cover a domestic partner. But what about state workers in Tennessee?

Governor Bill Haslam says don’t expect action any time soon.

“To me that doesn’t feel like something that’s imminent. I just don’t think the legislature is there at all, and it’s not something we as an administration will be pushing either.”

Asked whether he personally supports extending benefits to same-sex couples, Haslam avoided saying “no.” He said, “that’s not something as an administration we’ve said we’re going to push.”

In recent years, the Tennessee legislature has been viewed as hostile toward gays and lesbians, but Haslam has prodded lawmakers to drop bills seen as discriminatory.