M.V. Lee Badgett,
research director at the Williams Institute on Sexual
Orientation Law and Public Policy at the UCLA School of Law,
estimates that gay weddings could add $370 million to
the state economy over the next three years, according
to a story in the Los Angeles Times.
Wedding planners,
bakers, florists, caterers, and hotels have already
noticed an uptick in business since the California
supreme court's May 15 decision to overturn a state
ban on gay marriage.
The estimate is
based on the assumption that about half of
California's 92,000 same-sex couples will get married and
that those couples will spend approximately $8,040 on
their weddings.
The $370 million
figure is a rough estimate since no one can accurately
predict how many gay couples will actually tie the knot nor
how much couples will spend on their weddings.
The figure could
be smaller since the supreme court ruling could be
nullified. State officials are currently verifying
petition signatures for a proposed November 4 ballot
initiative that would amend the state constitution to
prohibit same-sex marriage.
If the supreme
court does not stay its ruling, California counties can
begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples
beginning June 17. (The Advocate)
