An open letter to Lisa Wynn
As we approach Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day I find that I am deeply embarrassed by the Starkville Board of Aldermen. I am therefore writing, as a resident of Ward 2, to express my strong disappointment in you and the other four alderpersons who voted to strike down the non-discrimination policy and to change the adult “plus 1” insurance policy for Starkville city workers.
To strike down these two measures is to take a stance that is blatantly bigoted. As a home to a world-class university that is located in a state that most people across the country (and the world) reflexively identify with the most violet form of bigotry, Starkville bears the burden of expectations. Starkville needs to project both in word and in deed a clear, unambiguous opposition to senseless and self-defeating hatred in all its forms: racism, sexism, xenophobia and homophobia. We need to show real and sincere welcome to students and faculty and family members regardless of irrelevant details like their color, gender, religion and sexual orientation. Such welcome cannot be provisional and cannot be only for those who are straight any more than it can be only for those who are white. In striking down the non-discrimination policy you have stained this community with the same kind of irrational hatred of the “other” that Dr. King campaigned against, and for that you should be ashamed.
However, we also need to be aware that homophobia is not just harmful when directed towards visitors. The harm goes deeper than harm to the reputation and economic health of our town. Your actions say to young men born in Starkville who find themselves attracted to other men, “you are not worthy of basic decency.” Your actions say to lesbian women who might have lived their whole lives in Starkville, “we turn our back on you.” This is self-destructive and senseless. I believe the citizens of Starkville are welcoming, decent people who can judge someone in civic life by their civic actions — and leave who consenting adults choose to love and what they choose to do with them where it belongs. I can see no justification for institutional homophobia. Being gay, bisexual, or trans does no harm to anyone. On the other hand an official city policy that embraces bigotry in any form encourages and defends those among us who would leverage trivial differences to harm or exclude others or elevate themselves.
I am most disgusted at the fact that the vote for this significant change in public policy was conducted in an executive session with no notice to the public on the agenda. This is a violation of the spirit and very possibly the letter of the public meetings act and a lapse in moral responsibility on the part of the whole board. You’ve abstained from previous votes on this matter and spoken about the importance of recognizing the value in all employees and the challenges that they may have in caring for family responsibilities in households that might contain +1 adults who might be adult children, siblings, parents, or partners.
Why did you change your stance? Why do you now align yourself with bigots? What is the civic value in tearing down our brothers and sisters and raising the flag of hatred over our town?
Starkville citizens deserve the answer to these questions.
Chris Gottbrath
Starkville
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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