Gay Marriage Could Boost California Economy

From the Center for American Progress:

CIVIL RIGHTS -- GAY MARRIAGE MAY PROVIDE BOOST TO CALIFORNIA ECONOMY: Last month, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) said that he hopes his state's Supreme Court ruling allowing gay marriages would encourage more couples to come to the state to be wed and boost the state's economy. Indeed, the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau also expects a tourism boom this summer, and its website now "promotes a gay travel section." The Los Angeles Times reports today that "one UCLA study projects that same-sex unions could provide a $370-million shot in the arm to the state economy over the next three years." The Times adds, "By some estimates, weddings and commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples generate $1 billion a year in revenue." PlanetOut, a media and entertainment company that conducts surveys about gay and lesbian consumers, "says gay consumers...spend about 10 [percent] more on nuptials" than their straight counterparts. Tom Rosa, owner of the Cake and Art bakery in Santa Monica said, "Being in West Hollywood, we've been inundated...after the ruling, the phone really picked up."