Captain Andi Mooneyham is an 8-year veteran of the Ozark Protection Fire District in Missouri who's been fighting to get benefits for her wife after the two were legally married in
California in 2013. Unfortunately, Missouri doesn't recognize same-sex marriages and despite support from the community and the
Ozark Fire Department, the board denied partner benefits based on advice from the department's attorney who warned it was counter to Missouri law.
Although Captain Mooneyham is still looking at her legal options, she was shocked only days after the decision to receive a cruel letter from a well-known Springfield, Missouri attorney named Dee Wampler. The letter said:
Dear Captain Mooneyham:
I agree with the decision of the board to refuse to grant and extend benefits to lesbians and homosexuals.
Missouri has a constitutional provision and a state statute providing that marriage is between one man and one woman which has been the law since time and memorial in our world's history.
I'm tired of promo attempting to cram homosexuality and lesbians down our throats.
You have followed the law and I congratulate you.
Now-back to fighting fires.
PROMO is an advocacy group in Missouri for the gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual equality. They posted the letter in full on their Facebook page with the caption
"think discrimination doesn't exist?"
The Springfield News-Leader reached out to Dee Wampler for comment and he kept it short:
"Whatever I wrote, I believe," he said.
Good luck to Captain Mooneyham and her wife as they pursue further options. You can see the letter below the fold.