California County
Could Profit From Gay Marriage

Sonoma State University, in Northern California, has found that significant economic gains are in its future if Proposition 8 is defeated this November.

The university's Center for Regional Economic Analysis found that Sonoma County would gain 864 jobs and increase business revenues up to $4.8 million if the proposition, which would amend California's constitution to ban gay marriage, is defeated. The county would also receive up to $27.6 million in new wages, according to the study release October 6. As much as $1.8 million of that could go toward health, human, police, and fire services.

"The continued ability of same-sex couples to marry provides ongoing, beneficial annual impacts to the Sonoma County economy," said center director Rob Eyler.

Napa Valley and Sonoma stand to benefit greatly as a wedding destination. The report estimates 1,496 couples from California, the state with the most same-sex couples, will marry in the county from 2009 to 2011 if Proposition 8 is defeated. (Kandice Day, The Advocate)