Gay marriage: good for the economy?
The California Supreme Court got a lot of love at this weekend's Pride Parade in West Hollywood, but UCLA deserves at least a peck on the cheek, too. As The Times' Alana Semuels recently reported, the university released a study last week (pdf) that shows, "Same-sex unions could provide a $370-million shot in the arm to the state economy over the next three years." (Guess Arnold Schwarzenegger wasn't kidding, after all.) But BusinessWeek warns:
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.
That's a pretty sizable caveat -- and that's assuming that many same-sex couples themselves will sign on. Take the Opinion section's own Robin Rauzi, who's not so sure that "until death do us part" will last this time:
It may seem surprising that we'd hesitate at all. But would you want your marriage put to a statewide popular vote?
You can't be a gay person in America, even in California, and be a complete stranger to discrimination. But this is different. This is the state -- my state, my government -- throwing open one arm to us, yet holding the other poised to slap us hard.
After all, as Rick Wartzman points out in today's Op-Ed section, California is a land of ideological extremes -- and some more conservative counties are taking matters into their own hands. Besides, some Californians may already be shooting themselves in the financial foot. While business is booming in West Hollywood, says NPR, it could be partly because other areas are rejecting gay couples:
[Boutique bakery] Cake and Art has also gotten business from couples who encountered problems with companies closer to home. [Employee Cody Christensen] cites a lesbian couple who drove more than an hour to order a cake from the bakery.
"They went to bakeries in their area, and they were actually turned away. So they drove two hours to here, from San Bernardino, and we were happy to help them."
Time to pull out your Magic-8 Ball:
*Photo: David McNew / Getty Images
How does gay marriage contribute to the economy? This is ridiculous,They will not have children who will participate in the work force and contribute to future retirement generations. No children means no toys and no toddlers means no toy manufacturers which means no contribution to the economy. This is society committing suicide!
Posted by: Christopher Moua | June 10, 2008 at 08:26 PM
I think same-sex marriages will impact the economy positively--I know if has for me! I've received numerous requests for wedding photography since the ban on same-sex marriage has been lifted!
--Michael Farmer
www.MichaelFarmerPhotography.com
Posted by: Michael Farmer | June 10, 2008 at 09:41 PM
Allowing gay people to marry doesn't make people gay, Christopher. Think about it.
Posted by: AM | June 11, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Christopher, I am not sure that you understand the gay life and the adoption option. Gay and Lesbian humankind may put a very positive spin on marriage. Just think Gay and Lesbian humankind adopting children spending money on toys, cloths and numerous other essentials, what a healthy shot for the economy. To top it off Christopher they may just provide a more stable home life than us "I did say us" heterosexuals. With heterosexuals couples divorcing at breakneck numbers, including devout Christians and pastoral leaders. What does this say about the institution of marriage Christopher? My dear wife and I now had 47 years of wedded bliss and pray for more. So may God richly bless the GL&T humankind as they embark on a new path of life.
Posted by: William M. thom, Sr. | June 11, 2008 at 10:15 PM
I hate to break the news to you but here is how it goes:
Man + Man = Nothing
Woman + Woman = Nothing
Man + Woman = Life as we know it on this planet.
So anything other than this is a degradation of society. This is a reality.
Posted by: dave | June 16, 2008 at 06:35 PM
There’s going to be a live Gay Marriage on KPFK Radio Los Angeles on Friday at 11am (Eastern). Check this historic broadcast on www.kpfk.org - two women will be getting hitched live on radio! An expansion of human rights in America! 90.7fm in L A!
Posted by: John Luton | June 18, 2008 at 02:56 PM
like some people are saying gays and lesbians can always adopt which i agree with.. why cant people see that i mean let them be. people this days just hate gays and lesbians for no apparent reason im surprised people still dont think of religion people just dont like gays and lesbians i guess but to me what ever makes a person happy then let them do it.....and as i would say "stop hating"
Posted by: John | June 19, 2008 at 12:47 PM
YAYYY GAYY MARRIAGES
Posted by: DIANE CHO | June 24, 2008 at 08:43 AM
My husband and I got married last Monday at a Sacramento Court House. We paid $140 for the license & ceremony. We then went to a local restruant and had a reception for for 35 close friends and family to which we paid $1400 for food and drinks. Most of the attendees went out and purchased new outfits for the wedding which comes out to another 6k or so. We stayed at a high end hotel for $280 for the night, shall I go on how our little ceremony had a major impact on California's economy for the good. We plan on having a renewal of vows next year at the Grand Island Mansion in Walnut Grove CA with estimated cost of $30k for 180 guest... yes, we are impacting the economy not only by our weddings.
Posted by: Joseph | June 30, 2008 at 05:53 PM
On November 4, 2008, the voting citizens of California will decide just what kind of people they really are. For on that day they will decide whether they will coldly snatch away the happiness that was granted by the courts to thousands of loving couples in the Gay and Lesbian community.
Most Gays and Lesbians know that to defeat the referendum in November they must first win the hearts and minds of the "straight" community. Some will ignore their hearts and try to win their minds. They will use logic to counter statements like:
1. Marriage is a religious institution.
They will counter: Not in the good ol' USA it's not. You can get married by a justice of peace, by a court appointed deputy, by a ship's captain or a city mayor. You can get married by anybody licensed to do so by the state--with nary a bible in sight.
2. Marriage is for the purpose of procreation.
They will counter: But what about elderly couples who can no longer have children? Would you deny them the happiness of marriage? What about couples where one is sterile? And couples who do not plan to have children at all. How dare they! Should we amend the California constitution to deny them the right to marry? Ok, so Gays and Lesbians who marry will not have children. But they would not have had children anyhow. So where's the logic? Why should it matter to you one way or the other?
And so goes the logic.
It may win over the minds of some, but me, I'll bet on the hearts and the basic goodness of the people of California. I believe that when they go into that polling booth on November 4, that even the most religious voter--perhaps they more than any other--will pause for a moment and search their hearts before checking the "Yes" or "No" box. They will consider the magnitude of the decision they are about to make: Will they, with just a simple check mark. break the hearts and crush the hopes and dreams of thousands of other human beings who are actually not all that different from themselves? Or will they think with their hearts and perhaps realize that the decision they are about to make is not just about Gays and Lesbian. It is a decision about themselves. They are about to decide what kind of people they really are.
--Henry Holcomb
www.lgbtweddingphotography.com
Posted by: Henry Holcomb | July 08, 2008 at 02:00 AM
No wedding cake in San Bernardino? Michelle's Bakery nearby in Redlands not only makes what are widely considered to be the best wedding cakes in the Inland Empire, their staff is very friendly and supportive to gay couples. They were to my husband and me.
We booked our wedding at Redlands United Church of Christ where the staff was also totally welcoming and supportive.
Even in the conservative counties fair-minded people still exist. ;-)
Posted by: Rob Taylor | August 25, 2008 at 12:18 PM
It has been stated that those who are homophobic are only in denial of their own homosexual tendencies
Posted by: michael lopez | September 16, 2008 at 09:59 PM