• About
  • marygriggs.com
  • Mouth Brothels

Mary Griggs

~ The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

Mary Griggs

Monthly Archives: October 2014

Studying for a test you already knew the answers to

16 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by marygriggs in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Louisiana, Marriage Equality

williams inst logo

The Williams Institute has released its latest study. From their executive summary on the Economic Boost of Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in Louisiana:

If marriage is extended to same-sex couples in Louisiana, the state would see an economic boost as same-sex couples plan their weddings and their out-of-state guests purchase goods and services in the state. This study estimates the impact of wedding spending on the state’s economy and on state and local sales tax revenue.

  • We predict that 4,038 in-state same-sex couples would choose to marry in the three years following the extension of marriage rights to same-sex couples in Louisiana.
  • The total spending on wedding arrangements and tourism by resident same-sex couples and their guests would add an estimated $28.3 million to the state and local economy of Louisiana over the course of three years, with an $18.1 million boost in the first year alone.
  • This economic boost would add $2.5 million in sales tax revenue to state and local coffers.
  • Spending related to same-sex couples’ wedding ceremonies and celebrations would generate 97 to 290 full- and part-time jobs in the state

Since that money will benefit our entire economy and not just the same-sex couples and their families who will have their loving relationship recognized, I’m not sure what else those in opposition need to hear.

No one is forcing any religion to recognize the marriage, although many religious do celebrate them – including the Presbyterians! The extremists who would hijack our nation’s Congress with another attempt to enshrine discrimination in the US constitution are out of step with America and on the wrong side of history.

It basically comes down to a really simple choice: If you are opposed marriage equality, do not get gay married! Leave the rest of us the hell alone!

 

Advertisements

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Walking North on a Southbound Train

07 Tuesday Oct 2014

Posted by marygriggs in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Louisiana, Marriage Equality, Mary Griggs

On Monday, the US Supreme Court refused to hear any of the pending appeals of same-sex marriage decisions.

Of course, I’m happy but I also feel a little like we’re walking north on a southbound train. I can’t help but wonder if these steps forward can get us where we want to go when there is so much more to do.

The LGBTQ movement needs to focus on more than marriage. We need to nurture our homeless queer youth, better support our transgender brothers and sisters, protect our queer elders and empower queer people of color. Our people need to feel safe in their homes and should not fear losing their jobs or their kids because of their identity or orientation. We need to know that our communities wont suffer from disparate economic impacts nor lack access to health care because of prejudice or bias.

In short, marriage isn’t now and won’t ever be the answer to everything.

But it’s not nothing, either.

The impact of the SCOTUS decision is massive. The appeals were from same-sex marriage cases out of Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. The US Supreme Court has effectively legalized marriage equality in those five states, which are part of the 4th, 7th, and 10th circuits. It also ended bans in six others – Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming (which had been on hold pending review).

This historical moment holds particular personal relevance to me. I grew up around the South as an army brat – we made homes in Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. I choose to move back South as an adult and now make my home in Louisiana.

All in all, I love it. I feel more at home here than I ever felt on either the East or West coasts. While there is much for me to love, the systematic hostility to queer folks makes my heart ache. The South makes it hard to be ANYTHING but straight. Far too many of the pink sheep of the family are still not welcome to live our lives authentically in the place of our birth.

Yet, the news today that 30 states will soon have marriage equality gives me hope. I hope there will be more queer kids who love places like Louisiana AND who won’t feel like they need to run away from home to be who they are.

There is more work to do but, tonight, we can celebrate all the possibilities  in the Supremes decision to allow more marriage equality for more people.

Here in Louisiana, we can also celebrate that the fight for marriage equality now has a new fighter. Lambda Legal has joined Forum for Equality Louisiana and the law firm, Stone Pigman, in bringing our appeal to the 5th Circuit.

So, raise a glass to love, y’all. We have a train to catch tomorrow!

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Recent Posts

  • Made for Radio
  • I am as independent as a hog on the ice
  • Survival Swimming for Democrats
  • Who Is My Neighbor?
  • We’ve Got the Power Ebook Giveaway!

Archives

  • February 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • February 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • November 2009
  • September 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • August 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007

Twitter Updates

Error: Twitter did not respond. Please wait a few minutes and refresh this page.

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.com
Advertisements

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
%d bloggers like this: