Report: Legal Gay Marriage Could Boost Va. Economy
Are they finally getting a clue? I'd like to say Virginia lawmakers would be motivated to change anti-LGBT laws because it's the right thing to do, but if it takes a wake-up call in the form of $$$$, I'd settle. I think they've seen how legalized gay marriage boosted the economy in neighboring Maryland and D.C. and now they want a piece of that pie.
NBC4 Washington, DC
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Report-Legal-gay-marriage-could-boost-Va-economy-256171181.html
Report: Legal Gay Marriage Could Boost Va. Economy
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014
Legalizing gay marriage in Virginia could create hundreds of jobs and generate up to $60 million in spending over three years as same-sex couples spend thousands on their nuptials and out-of-town guests come to celebrate with them, according to a study by a UCLA think tank.
In February, a federal judge in Norfolk struck down Virginia's ban on same-sex marriages. The decision has been stayed while it is appealed, and a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in Richmond on May 13. Lawyers for both sides expect the issue to ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, either in the Virginia case or one like it from another state.
The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law estimates that between 5,487 and 7,122 same-sex Virginia couples would get married within three years of a change in law. That's based on 2010 Census figures showing Virginia has 14,243 same-sex couples and past experiences with Massachusetts after gay marriage was legalized there. At least 17 states and the District of Columbia have state laws or court decisions that allow same-sex couples to marry.
The report also estimates that Virginia has already likely lost tens of millions of dollars in spending and more than $1 million in tax revenue as same-sex couples decided to marry in Washington, D.C. and other states where it's been legalized.... MORE
