i Financial impact of gay vows studied
Financial impact of gay vows studied
BY SUSAN M. COVER
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 02/23/2009

AUGUSTA -- The Maine economy would see a $60 million boost over three years if same-sex couples are allowed to marry here, according to a California-based think tank that works to advance the rights of gays and lesbians.

Supporters of a bill to allow gay marriage in the state released the study this week from the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.

Opponents say the study has come out at a time when people are worried about the economy but that, even still, it's not likely to change anyone's opinion about the subject.

The institute, which has done similar analyses for other states considering gay marriage, based its conclusions on a calculation of how many Maine gay and lesbian couples would get married in the first three years, and how many same-sex couples from out of state would travel to Maine to get married.

They estimated 2,316 gay or lesbian couples, about half of the estimated number of couples living in the state, would get married if state law allowed it. Also, they believe more than 15,000 couples from out of state would come here to wed if they could.

To come up with the economic impact, they estimated that Maine couples would spend $4,641 on a wedding, while those from out of state would spend $3,143.

Also, they calculated that tax revenues and fees would generate $3.6 million, also over three years. Those revenues would come from state and local sales taxes, lodging and prepared-food taxes and marriage-license fees, according to the study.

Shenna Bellows, spokeswoman for the Maine Freedom to Marry Coalition, said the institute used conservative figures of the number of gay couples in the state and also how much they would be likely to spend on weddings.

"As someone with lots of friends who got married, that's an extraordinarily conservative estimate of the cost of a wedding in Maine," she said.

Bellows said that, while people approach the subject from different perspectives, this kind of information will help Mainers see the issue in a new light.

"It may help confirm for people that civil marriage for same-sex couples is not a threat to Maine, it's a benefit to the state," she said.

Marc Mutty, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, said economic studies may sway public opinion on some matters, but not this one. Marriage is a core value that isn't likely to change because of financial concerns, he said.

"I don't think this decision should be made on the basis of finances," he said. "I have a real problem with that, and I think most Mainers have a real problem with it."

The study is the latest effort by gay and lesbian activists to convince the Legislature, Maine people and businesses that a proposed gay-marriage law should be adopted in Maine.

Sen. Dennis Damon, D-Trenton, is the sponsor of a bill that would change the definition of marriage to be the legally recognized union of two people. It would allow any two people, regardless of sex, to apply for a marriage license.

Also, it affirms that religious institutions will maintain control over who may marry within their faith and recognizes the validity of marriages performed in other states.

The bill, which has yet to be released by the Legislature's bill-writing office, will get a public hearing in the coming weeks.

For some groups, such as the Portland Regional Chamber, studies with economic information do prove helpful when weighing the pros and cons of a particular bill, said Godfrey Wood, CEO of the chamber.

He said his group has not taken a position on Damon's bill, but if it does, it would be within the next two weeks.

The factors it will consider include whether allowing gay couples to marry in Maine would boost tourism, encourage young people to stay in Maine or attract creative people who want to make Maine their home, Wood said.

Bob Emrich, a Baptist pastor who is an opponent of the bill, said the study should be examined closely.

"I doubt the purpose of the study is economic at all," he said. "In these tough economic times, people want to grab on to anything that will help the economy."

The economic aspect of allowing gay marriage only appeals to those who already support gay marriage, Emrich said.

"I doubt if it will change anybody's mind," he said.

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@centralmaine.com

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