Study: Gay Marriage Good For Economy

UCLA Researchers Say Same Sex Unions Will Create Jobs, Generate Revenue

(AP)  Same-sex weddings could create hundreds of new jobs and pump hundreds of millions of dollars into California's economy, according to a new study released Monday.

Gay couples are projected to spend $684 million on flowers, cakes, hotels, photographers and other wedding services over the next three years - so long as voters don't put a halt to the same-sex marriage spree, according to a study by the Williams Institute at University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.

During the three-year period, the researchers project that about half of the state's more than 100,000 same-sex couples will get married and another 68,000 out-of-state couples will travel to California to exchange vows. The nuptial rush is expected to create some 2,200 jobs.

The study estimates that over the next three years, gay weddings will generate $64 million in additional tax revenue for the state, and another $9 million in marriage-license fees for counties.

"This is clearly a win-win situation," said Lee Badgett, study co-author and research director at the Williams Institute. "It's good for the larger economy, there's a trickle down to state and local governments, and people get to celebrate their relationships."

Badgett said same-sex weddings could help prop up the state's tourism industry, which has been hit by skyrocketing fuel costs, rising airfares and a sagging economy. Picturesque locales and romantic getaways should see more business from gay weddings and honeymoons.

Researchers studied the economic impact of gay marriage in Massachusetts - the only U.S. state that allows gays and lesbians to marry - to develop their projections for California. They also used data from states such as Vermont that allow civil unions or domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

The California study focused on the next three years because researchers found the number of gay weddings tapered off three years after Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage in 2004.

Counties are expected to start issuing gender-neutral marriage licenses next week after the California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage last month.

But the gay wedding march could be cut short if California voters approve a Nov. 4 ballot initiative that would overturn the court ruling and ban same-sex marriage.

[dolphin20081]

lstfld makes some very good points. Like: I pay taxes, just like everyone else. I pay for my retirement and medical, just like everyone else. But if I die, my partner of 24 years gets nothing. However, I can marry a woman today, die tomorrow, and my wife of 24 hours gets benefits, pension, everything. How is a relationship of 24 years less valid than one of 24 hours? Answer: it''s not. The only way to eliminate this gross inequity is to provide the same rights (and responsibilities) for ALL Americans. So, thank you lstfld, for making a very deeply hearfelt argument in FAVOR of marriage equality/equity for ALL Americans.

[lstfld]

I have no problem with equal rights for ***. But when we talk about monetary benefit, I think we should also talk about the cost.
684 million is nothing compared to the cost to pension plans which will now have to pay benefits to people who previously would have gotten nothing. Pension contribution rates are based on actuarial assumptions which may be overturned by gay marriage. The same is true of health care plans. Also, what happens to the tax exempt status of churches who refuse to perform gay marriages? Is there any doubt that a church that barred the interracial marriage of its members would be in jeopardy of losing its tax exempt status. How is this any different?

[dmhphils]

Posted by ralan40 at 12:01 PM : Jun 10, 2008

your pride reaks

[kansas1946]

Good for California. I hope this is good for their economny. The deserve to be rewarded for protecting and valuing gay families.

[michellem99-2009]

When I heard the word MARRIAGE and this is what Dad taught us.
Marriage a man and woman.
Date is a male and female.
Couple is a male and female.
2 females or 2 males are that 2 of the same gander,
They are not Mr. and Mrs/Ms.
If we were meant to be one gendar then it would have been. It is not. STOP CALLINHG THIS A MARRIAGE as it is not in my eye. Dad/Mum is male and female and married. 2 WOMEN or 2 MEN no way. I don''t care what the paper said. THE CHILDREN NEED A FATHER AND MOTHER. same gwnder can live together but ye asking me to go against family values. I am 53. I love my friends,I love my family,I love my male companion of 25 years and I am female.

[julzxD]

LIKE YOU SAID, ITS NOT A MARRIAGE IN YOUR EYE.
THATS JUST YOUR DAMN OPINION, AND YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO DECIDED WHETHER ONE CAN LOVE SOMEONE OF THE SAME SEX OR NOT SIMPLY BECAUSE THAT IS JUST YOUR OPINION. you are not in any power to say anything. no ones asking you to go against your values, as no ones asking you to marry another female. if you dont like gays, then simply keep to yourself and ignore them. just cause youre against homos doesnt mean they cant have any rights. this is the same as interracial marriage and black people having rights. they are entitled to it, as are homosexuals, and this will be the law.

[dd1978]

all i can say is that i hope you are doing the right thing by God. listen to God and not what man say. Put your trust in the Lord and his word not in man. if you do that you''''ll be okay.

Posted by endtimes72


Which God? Or Goddess? There are many, in my belief. I understand that''s not what Christians believe and you''re entitled to that, but not all of us are Christians and the government shouldn''t be under Christian rule. "God said so" is no reason to pass a law.

[endtimes72]

How about the rest of us who aren''''t Christians, but are very religious people?

Posted by dd1978

all i can say is that i hope you are doing the right thing by God. listen to God and not what man say. Put your trust in the Lord and his word not in man. if you do that you''ll be okay.

[endtimes72]

Good night, wonderful people.

Posted by flabear2

you be careful. i''m outta here as well.

notaliberal5 .......i enjoyed chatting with you as well.

[dd1978]

How about the rest of us who aren''t Christians, but are very religious people?

[flabear2]

Oh well - it was fun chatting with everyone, but a last-minute project came up that requires my full attention.

Good night, wonderful people.

[dd1978]

Has anybody heard of the concept of separation of church and state? All of you Christians are entitled to your beliefs. I fully support your right to believe what, in my opinion, are some pretty wacky ideas. But keep your religion out of the government. Please!

[endtimes72]

Posted by notaliberal6 ....

thanks for the warning, but our voices will be heard not just on this forum, but throughout the world as prophesy tells us. The word will never pass away.

[flabear2]

You''''re god basically accepts anything you do or any way you want to live without consequences or punishment.

-- Essentially, yes. My idea of God is a deity that allows me to live happily and freely.

your God offers you nothing for you good works. you have a very scary and destructive way of thinking spiritually.

-- I require no rewards for my services. If you believe that doing good simply for the sake of doing it is destructive, then destruction I shall visit. It is scary, at first. But the freedom it gives in return is worth it.

[endtimes72]

I will not speculate about what''''s beyond our physical lifespan. And no, I don''''t believe in either of those concepts. I believe in returning to God, the source of all things.

Posted by flabear2

you know you might as well call yourself and semi-atheist because you don''t believe in the God of Israel, you rather believe in the idea of a God of Goodwill of some sort. You''re god basically accepts anything you do or any way you want to live without consequences or punishment. your God offers you nothing for you good works. you have a very scary and destructive way of thinking spiritually.

[flabear2]

"That''''''''s not God who you''''''''re talking to, trust me."

Your opinion, and you are entitled to it. I believe what I wish, as do you.

[flabear2]

"you believe in God, but not sin and apparently you don''''t believe in Heaven or Hell either."

I will not speculate about what''s beyond our physical lifespan. And no, I don''t believe in either of those concepts. I believe in returning to God, the source of all things.

[endtimes72]

That''''s not God who you''''re talking to, trust me. You appear to be falling into the trap of the "Oprah gospel".

Posted by notaliberal5

for real. and the writing is on the wall for her.

[flabear2]

"And God has presented you the Truth in His Word, the Bible, yet you keep ignoring it. If you don''''t believe in eternal life, then you cannot believe in God. For He gives eternal life to those who believe and trust in Him."

-- Never said I didn''t believe in it...okay yeah I kinda don''t. Whatever. I merely said that I do not want it. I don''t need a reward like that to convince me that doing good for my fellow man is a good thing.

[endtimes72]

I do not long for eternal life. I simply wish to enjoy this one with all the opportunities it can offer.

Posted by flabear2

you got to be kidding me. what you think that your life ends when you physically die. your physical body is only the home to your soul to exist here on earth. your spirit returns to the father after you die to await judgement. what you do and how you live here on earth is going to determine what you receive there. eternal life or eternal death. you know that was a very sad statement you made there.

you believe in God, but not sin and apparently you don''t believe in Heaven or Hell either.

[flabear2]

then i guess you really are offended at the word of God according to the scriptures if you feel this way.

-- You are free to believe whatever you wish.

the scriptures are not our words it''''s God''''s word. every time we quote a scripture from God''''s word you seem to imply that that is something we said.

-- You are quoting me a passage from a book. The book is not God. We will just have to agree to disagree again.

you don''''t believe in the word of God you just believe in a God. then you have general beliefs about that, but refuse to believe every word in the bible.

-- Pretty much, yeah. Written word shall always be corrupted.

You don''''t even believe in sin even though God is against it.

-- Your idea of God is against sin. My idea of God says that sin is a construct made to perpetuate the shame that Man feels he must carry, when he can lay it down a little bit of effort.