The big gay Texas brain drain

[William769]

Experts say marriage ban will hurt state’s economy after DOMA ruling as LGBT workers flock to places where they can get federal benefits



In the wake of two historic victories for same-sex marriage at the U.S. Supreme Court, national attention has returned to the growing divide among states on LGBT equality.

Although same-sex couples legally married in other states may receive some federal benefits if they live in Texas, they won’t receive as many federal benefits as couples living in marriage-equality states.

And because it could be anywhere from a few years to a decade or more before Texas recognizes same-sex marriages, some experts believe the talent pool for employers will shrink as LGBT Texans leave the state and others opt against relocating here.

Bob Witeck, president of the Washington, D.C.-based LGBT marketing company Witeck Communications Inc., first analyzed the concept of “gay brain drain” in 2004 when Massachusetts began allowing same-sex marriage. Now, 13 states allow same-sex marriage, covering a third of the nation’s population, and the playing field has put marriage-equality states ahead.

http://www.dallasvoice.com/big-gay-texas-brain-drain-10152130.html

[closeupready]

1. Of course, particularly gay couples raising children.

Even without children, to the extent that you love and care about your spouse, you have a responsibility to protect them and the relationship you have with them. There will be exceptions (as there always are), but I do think the principle will hold in general.

[MNBrewer]

2. MN welcomes GLBT refugees from marriage bigotry states

[LostOne4Ever]

3. Please don't leave!

All that will do is make our state STUPIDER and MORE BIGOTTED than it already is! It will only make it where it takes LONGER to bring marriage equality here!!!

Please don't leave!

I don't want to be left alone with all the nuts here T^T

[RKP5637]

4. We just left one of those states, KS. Took the business, our asserts and advanced

education and left. There are far too many better places in the world to live than in some backward dumb fuck place where bigotry is a pastime and TPTB love and support it ...

[closeupready]

6. Good for you! I'm glad you did it. You deserve

so much more.

[RKP5637]

7. Thanks!!!

[Amimnoch]

5. Definitely, and I can personally relate.

I left the US (Houston, Texas) back in 2005 for a business opportunity in Rio De Janeiro Brazil specifically because both the country of residence, AND my company would recognize my relationship to my husband there. In July 2012, my husband and I relocated from there to St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Again, our decision to accept that position and location was driving by Canadian Law.

Now, for the first time, I'm willing to consider returning to the US to live and work. Texas, however, will NOT be on my list of acceptable states to return to.

The US will finally be able to get taxes from me, and my employment again (I won't divulge, but it's a significant number).