Could Gay Marriages Boost Our Economy?

**Sister Iroz** · April 5th, 2009, 06:54 PM

It's been two days since the Supreme Court's ruling stating gay marriage is legal under Iowa's constitution. Now some people are looking at what this could mean for the state's economy. Iowa's law does not have a residency restriction, meaning same-sex couples from anywhere in the country can come to our state and get married.

Last month, a study by the Williams Institute found extending marriage to same sex couples in Vermont would boost its economy by over $30 million in three years. It would also increase state and local government tax and fee revenues by more than $3 million and create 700 new jobs.

For the Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, any increase in visitors to the state and city of Des Moines is positive.

"We don't care the race, creed, religion, whatever it is. A visitor is a visitor and they all spend money," said Greg Edwards of the CVB.

Same sex couples can't get married just yet. The Supreme Court ruling does not go into effect for another nineteen days. That gives the Polk County attorney's office time to appeal. If it does not appeal the Supreme Court's decision, the court will make the decision final.

http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-...,7805825.story

So what is your take on could gay marriages boost our economy.

**Peeperann** · April 5th, 2009, 06:58 PM

Hell yeah it will. a lot gay couple will want big weddings, hence paying for all the flowers, music, photography, the 'place' to get married, the food ect. will pump money into our economy.

It's all good...........

**Sister Iroz** · April 5th, 2009, 07:32 PM

"We don't care the race, creed, religion, whatever it is. A visitor is a visitor and they all spend money," said Greg Edwards of the CVB.

Isn't that the damn truth, but only if they have it.

**Peeperann** · April 5th, 2009, 07:36 PM

True, only if they have it. But the economy is going to have to rebound some time! And honestly, I really think even the most homophobic person doesn't really care where the money is coming from, as long as it's green!

**MichaelJCheaney** · April 5th, 2009, 07:40 PM

I don't think it will be as big of a boost as people are predicting.

There MIGHT be some uptick in weddings and the assorted services that go along with it.

However these numbers ARE coming from Government agencies.....and well we all know how great they are at projections.......They couldn't perdict a train wreck if it happened right in front of them!

**Just my luck sucks** · April 5th, 2009, 07:41 PM

Divorce attorney's will be dancin'

I believe in equal misery too.

**Castille** · April 6th, 2009, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by Just my luck sucks

Divorce attorney's will be dancin'

I believe in equal misery too.

Divorce gets tricky when the state in which you reside doesn't recognize your marriage in the first place in order to dissolve it. And every place I know of has residency requirements for divorce.