As of Tuesday, July 24 it has been exactly one year since New York state made same-sex marriage legal, and the LA Times reports that in that short period of 365 days, the Marriage Equality Act “boosted the economy by $259 million in New York City alone.” For all those concerned that same-sex marriage is going to bring on the end of days, I’d say this is some pretty compelling evidence that it’s actually helping a lot and hurting … no one! But enough of my opining—let’s break down the numbers.
According to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, at least 8,200 same-sex marriage licenses were issued in New York City in the past year, which is more than 10 percent of the 75,000 total licenses issued by the city in that time period. Of couples who chose to identify, 7,184 identified as same-sex, and of that group 3,898 were male couples and 3,286 were female.
The same-sex weddings helped bring $16 million in direct revenue to the city. Same-sex marriage events drew 296,000 guests with approximately 68 percent of that group coming from outside the five boroughs. Those guests booked more than 235,000 nights in hotel rooms, spending $275 a day per room. More than two-thirds of same-sex couples held their wedding receptions at locations in the five boroughs, and only half of same-sex couples had a budget when planning their weddings.
These are just some of the astounding numbers reported; for a full break down visit Mayor Bloomberg’s website. “Marriage equality has made our city more open, inclusive and free—and it has also helped to create jobs and support our economy,” said Bloomberg, securing himself the highly coveted position of My Favorite Person of the Day. Speaker Christine C. Quinn said, “The widespread reach marriage equality has had in New York extends beyond the fundamental need to make sure all people are free to marry the person of their choosing. Our economy has also reaped the benefits full equality has to offer and the impressive economic impact same-sex marriage has and will continue to have in our city is a boon for New York and for all those fought so hard to make equality a reality in New York State.”
Happy one-year anniversary, New York!
Photo: Real Weddings Alison and Irene, photography by Our Labor of Love
