What’s the best reason to legalize gay marriage?
Money, apparently. 
According to a study called, “Love Counts: The Economic Benefits of Marriage Equality for New York,” the 50,854 same-sex couples that rare registered as residing in New York state would cause a huge influx of revenue from local taxes, city marriage license fees and personal spending.
The Advocate -
“Legalizing marriage for same-sex couples in New York would have impacts beyond allowing individuals to make the full legal commitments to their partners that opposite-sex couples take for granted,” Comptroller William Thompson said in the report.
The report also foresees more than 56,000 couples from other states visiting the Big Apple to get married, including those from nearby New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Nancy Swartz, a videographer based in New York who specializes in capturing gay ceremonies, said that she anticipates a significant growth in her business if same-sex marriage is passed.
“My business did increase from New Jersey [civil unions] when the law passed,” she said of her company, MarryMeGay.com.
“Couples that I talked to in New Jersey after civil unions were passed said that they wanted to do it, so they just did it. I think a lot of New York couples will do the same.”
Swartz said she is sought out by gay and lesbian couples because of her approach to documenting their special day.
“A lot of traditional videographers who do straight weddings have a formula, whereas gay couples all have their own stories that have to be told a certain way,” she said.
“Sometimes one bride will wear a dress, and sometimes both wear a dress. Other times they get ready together. I capture their stories more individually. The couples don’t have to explain who they are. There is no exception.”
Part of the $142 million uptick for New York City’s economy would be a $58 million spending boom from couples and guests coming to visit the city for destination weddings. Increased rates of homeownership among couples could generate $40 million in real estate taxes for New York City alone.
Though couples would still not be allowed to file jointly on their federal income taxes because of the Defense of Marriage Act, New York companies would be required to grant benefits for employees’ spouses and families.
About 211,000 New York City-based firms would pay a total of $11 million per year in health insurance costs for dependents, while approximately 503,000 state companies would pay about $21 million annually for the additional coverage.
Additionally, those who receive assistance from the state’s Medicaid program may become ineligible for those benefits if they marry someone whose income or assets are sufficient to lift them above the income and asset thresholds for these programs.
Thompson estimated that the State would save about $110 million in Medicaid outlays over the three-year period looked at in the report.
hmmm, remember when Frank Russo, state director of the American Family Association of New York, based in Port Washington, said that allowing gay couples in New York to marry was a mistake that could be costly to taxpayers. Maybe I should send him the information about this report.
Now, I know that some studies can be bunk.
But this one seems to have been researched thoroughly and with reliable statistics. If this country, which has seen a economic downturn lately, needs to up its revenue - legalizing gay marriage might be a viable option. Forget the moral complexities, when it comes right down to it, money is what matters. Right? OK, I’m being a bit cynical. But hey, we went to war based on money and oil? Didn’t we?
Moving on … Those who know me know that I’m not advocating that we legalize gay marriage in New York just for sake of a few million dollars. But, I admit that it does help our case. Especially since there are those members of the AFA trying to say that it would actually cost more to do so. I’m waiting for Frank Russo to eat some humble pie, stick his foot in his mouth, eat his words … you get the picture. Actually, if he just shut his big, fat bigot mouth altogether, that would be enough for me.
Elsewhere in 451press news: A teacher gets suspended for comparing the word “gay” to the “N” word, Lindsey Lohan and Vanessa Millano doll out some lesbianish poses in these racy photos, eco-friendly cleaning products, and a view of Bush that seems to be a reoccurring national consensus.
Check in tomorrow for The “fag bug” has been spotted, to see what Erin Davies is up to.
gay marriage, legalizing gay marriage in new york state, american family association, frank russo, love counts, gay marriage study, marriage equality, gay marriage debate, lindsey lohan, vanessa millano, mayrmegay.com
June 6th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Hey, Lyndsey, I see your point about money being a factor in all this. The points about how the state could save money make an interesting case, don’t they?
On a side note: I’m just a bit allergic to all the “consumerism” attached to weddings, whether gay or straight. It seems ridiculous the amount of money people think they need to spend on the ceremony and reception. I do understand the need to capture your memories, so I make wish the videographer well in her business.
June 6th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Because ya’ll should be as miserable as the rest of us? I kid. I kid. I believe in marriage and if I could actually get a date I’d give it a go again.
June 6th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
people should be allowed to do anything in the world they want to as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others. I don’t see gay marriage hurting anyone.. actually it will be quite beneficial to society as a whole.