Same-Sex Marriage Good for the Economy?
Advocates for gay marriage in Maryland got a boost this week from a new study that claims legalizing same-sex marriage would help the state economy.
Among the study's findings: Revenues from license fees from same-sex weddings would generate about $94 million a year. Same-sex couples would have a "positive impact" on the state budget of $3.2 milion annually, from income taxes to inheritance taxes.
The study was put out by the Williams Institute described by its public relations firm as a think tank dedicated to sexual orientation law and public policy. Williams is based at the University of California at Los Angeles.
The data will doubtless be used in the upcoming fight in the General Assembly to legalize same-sex marriage, as advocates turn to legislation to accomplish what their lawsuit against Maryland's same-sex marriage ban could not.
The study also provides a demographic snapshot of same-sex couples, who numbered 11,243 in Maryland in 2000, according to the U.S. Census. By 2005, the number jumped to 15,600. About 7,800 of those couples would marry if they could tie the knot legally.
Baltimore had the largest number of same-sex couples in 2000, with 2,118, followed by Montgomery County with 2.070 and Prince George's County with 1,680.
By Lisa Rein |
November 29, 2007; 11:26 AM ET
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Lisa Rein
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Posted by: Fleeced | November 29, 2007 07:06 PM
Fleeced wrote, "...don't pretend that it won't happen.."
Well, speaking only for myself, I have been with the same wonderful person, in a committed, monogamous, meaningful relationship for decades.
Our finances, mortgage, medical decisions, vacations--everything--are all intrinsically intertwined, as it is in all stable marriages.
We want to protect our relationship for the same reasons and in the same way as my heterosexual brother and his wife have. They aren't getting divorced anytime soon.\
Neither are my partner in life and I.
Posted by: Linguist | November 29, 2007 08:26 PM
"What lame argument for same-sex marriage.
So marriage licenses will bring a few dollars to the State? Maybe. But what about the strain that same-sex divorce would bring upon the courts?"
What a lame argument AGAINST same-sex marriage. You don't decide that people shouldn't have a right because of a potential "strain" on the courts.
Egads. Imagine when women or blacks were given the vote: what a potential "strain" on the courts. Too bad: in a fair and equitable society, women and blacks have a RIGHT to vote.
If you don't think that gay couples have the RIGHT to make their relationships legally binding, make that argument based on what constitutes a right.
But if you conclude, as I do, that they DO have that RIGHT, it hardly matters how much of the "strain" it causes on ANYONE.
Posted by: | November 29, 2007 08:51 PM
The best argument for legalization that I've heard is "Why should only straight men have to suffer?".
Posted by: R U Dreaming | November 30, 2007 10:10 PM
...You also don't decide that someone DOES have a right to same-sex marriage (or anything else for that matter) for the sole reason that it could bring financial gain to the state. Read the topic. That's what we're discussing here, which is a lame and totally irrelevant argument, IMO.
It seems to me that you and the other proponents will have to make the argument on what constitutes a right FOR same-sex marriage (not the other way around), so the ball is in your court. The Court of Appeals has already rejected this measure and O'Malley's also flip-flopped on the issue so don't expect to gain much support from opponents through a pittance of gain by way of marriage license fees.
Posted by: Fleeced | December 1, 2007 03:49 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
What lame argument for same-sex marriage.
So marriage licenses will bring a few dollars to the State? Maybe. But what about the strain that same-sex divorce would bring upon the courts? And don't pretend that it won't happen because the minute that it's legalized, everyone and their brother (no pun intended) will want to run out and get married with no more thought than me picking up a gallon of milk on the way home from work.