Allowing gay and lesbian couples to
marry would boost economies in Utah and Virginia, new studies have
found.
Gay marriage bans in Utah and Virginia
are among those that have been struck down as unconstitutional by
federal judges in recent months.
According to studies conducted by the
Williams Institute, an independent think tank at UCLA Law, extending
marriage to gay couples would generate up
to $60 million in spending to Virginia's economy and up
to $15.5 million to Utah's economy in the first three years after
each state lifted its ban.
Researchers looked at 2010 U.S. Census
data to estimate that half of gay couples living in Utah (1,955) and
Virginia (7,122) would choose to marry in the first three years
Spending and tourism related to the
weddings would also generate new jobs: 268 in Utah and between 459
and 595 in Virginia over the first three years.
“Study after study has demonstrated
that, in addition to significant revenue, marriage for same-sex
couples creates new jobs,” said Christy Mallory, senior counsel at
the Williams Institute.