Gay Marriage And The Economy

I have long touted the economic benefits of gay marriage. Now it seems, the news is finally chiming in on the subject. A recent study has suggested that wedding and marriage industry alone could get a boost well over the $9 billion range. That is just lawyers and wedding planners. Lets factor in the increased revenue from wedding license fees. NYC estimates it received a boost of $250 million since lifting the ban on gay marriage. Then you can add in the boost to the tourism dollar as more couples take their honeymoons. Housing would go up as more couples would feel more secure in purchasing a home together. Corporate America realized these benefits long before this. Why do you think you have been seeing more and more advertising with a more gay friendly approach? The most recent being the Amazon Kindle ad. Are the trying to tout their acceptance of all sexual orientations? No, they are simply wooing the all mighty dollar. There has much discussion, and misinterpretation, of a question posed to the CEO of Starbucks at a recent shareholders meeting regarding their support for gay marriage was good for the company's image. His reply? “If you feel, respectfully, that you can get a higher return than the 38% you got last year, it’s a free country,” Shultz replied. “You can sell your shares of Starbucks and buy shares in another company. Thank you very much.” The CEO of Goldman Sachs also put his money behind the Gay Marriage movement when he recorded a commercial stating, "America's corporations learned long ago that equality is just good business and is the right thing to do,” at least he added that it was the right thing to do. And these gentleman are right. I know I will pay close attention when I am making a decision on where to spend my money and I will not spend it in locations that use a part of it to take away or block my rights and civil liberties. So how about you? Will whether or not a company supports gay marriage effect your choice? Let me know in the comments section. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris