Studying for a test you already knew the answers to

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Louisiana, Marriage Equality

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!

 

Walking North on a Southbound Train

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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!