Same-sex marriage means better economy in Washington

Even if you’re on the fence about Washington legalizing same-sex marriage, the economic benefits alone may help you see things more clearly.

It is reported that a lot of money will begin to flood Washington state’s economy immediately after the law states gay couples can marry. There are several reasons for this increase.

It is estimated that Seattle has one of the high concentrations of LGBTQ communities in the country. About 13 percent of the total 3.3 million residents in the metropolitan area identify as LGBTQ which is about 435,000 individuals. If you consider how many of these individuals have partners and will be taking the state up on its new offer, that’s a lot of weddings and that means money. Generally, weddings cost on average around 19,000 dollars. Even if half of Seattle’s LGBTQ residents were married this would add an additional 4 billion dollars to the state’s economy. And that doesn’t even include the wedding gifts that friends will be purchasing and the costs of hotels that family members will stay in. Also, just think of the influx of people from states like Oregon, Idaho and Montana who will be signing their marriage licenses and paying marriage fees in Washington. 

Of course, this will all be an immediate yet temporary influx of dollars caused by the recent legalization of same-sex marriage. However, the increase of business for divorce lawyers down the line will also continue to generate and stimulate the economy.

Even if you’re not that keen on gay marriage being legalized in Washington state, those millions upon millions of dollars that will flood into our economy may help you change your tune.