Gay Marriages & California's Economy

Despite the uncertainty of gay marriages lasting in California, an upswing in travel and wedding plans is expected to bring a boost to the California economy. It could bring in $370-million, according to the research director at the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the UCLA School of Law. The estimate is based on half of the 92,000 same-sex couples in California getting married and using the average of $8,040. This number does not include couples traveling from out of state, who will have to book hotels, rent cars and pay for other services during their stay.

In a wider scope, "by some estimates, weddings and commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples generate $1 billion a year in revenue," says the LA Times.

The day after gay marriages were announced to be legal in California, one event planner booked a $55,000 wedding. Other businesses in Palm Springs and West Hollywood noted that their phones were ringing more often.

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