Gay marriage may be a gift to California's economy

[Carlos_E]

Business is up for hotels, bakers and photographers as same-sex couples prepare to wed.

By Alana Semuels, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
June 2, 2008

Forget economic stimulus checks. Same-sex marriages may give California just the financial boost it needs.

Wedding planners, bakers and hotels began booking more business almost immediately after the state Supreme Court's May 15 decision overturning a ban on gay marriage. Citing pent-up demand, 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.

"Being in West Hollywood, we've been inundated," said Tom Rosa, owner of the Cake and Art bakery on Santa Monica Boulevard. "After the ruling, the phone really picked up."

Rosa said couples who had waited for decades to legally marry were splurging on 5-foot-tall confections shaped like carousels and cakes featuring handcrafted birds of paradise.

Mike Standifer and Marc Hammer were already planning a commitment ceremony for October, but when the court ruling came out, they decided to throw an even bigger bash and get married.

They plan on spending about $25,000, which includes renovations on their Hollywood home so they can have the party in their backyard. The new price tag includes rings, their suits and those of their wedding party, and the cost of flying in Standifer's priest from Tennessee -- all costs they wouldn't have incurred if they were just having a party.

"The wedding dynamic in the last two weeks changed everything," Standifer said. The wedding businesses he's worked with so far seem thrilled. "I think it's because the economy's not so great, but the vendors have been treating us like royalty," he said.

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 earn 20% more than their straight counterparts, on average, and spend about 10% more on nuptials.

The court ruling comes at a good time for many small wedding-related businesses, which are finding that their traditional customers are spending less on weddings because of the economy.

"Brides are being more frugal with things they don't see as a priority," said Richard Markel, president and director of the Assn. for Wedding Professionals International.

Things really slowed down in February, said Michael Willms, owner of Entertainment Design Events, an event planning company that's done big bashes such as a wedding for actress Lindsay Price, who stars in the NBC show "Lipstick Jungle."

But they've picked up now. The day after the ruling, Willms booked a $55,000 same-sex wedding.

"These weddings will be much more lavish," he said. "Everybody's been waiting for it to be legal to throw the big party."

California counties can begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples beginning June 17.

M.V. Lee Badgett, research director at the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the UCLA School of Law, estimates that gay weddings could provide a $370-million boost to the state economy.

That estimate presumes that about half of California's 92,000 same-sex couples will tie the knot, multiplied by $8,040, the amount of money from savings accounts that Badgett figures same-sex couples will use on their weddings.

Event planners, restaurants, tent and chair rental companies, florists, caterers and hotels should all get a piece of that pie, she said.

"There's an opportunity to get a big wedding windfall," she said.

There are, of course, some caveats. No one can accurately project how many gay couples will spend thousands on weddings. And the legality of gay weddings is potentially short-lived, as officials verify petition signatures for a proposed Nov. 4 ballot initiative that would prohibit same-sex marriage.

Still, wedding-related companies that traditionally market to the gay and lesbian community are finding business is picking up.

Mitch Goldstone, president of Irvine-based photo service ScanMyPhotos.com, said he had gotten more than 300 requests for wedding invitations with photos on them since the court ruling.

"I guess people are still concerned about dealing with unsympathetic local photo labs," he said.

Rosa, the baker, said a lesbian couple came to him for their cake after a bakery in San Bernardino said it was booked for the summer and couldn't make their wedding cake when a clerk saw the two women together.

Other businesses are trying to capture the attention of gay and lesbian couples.

Susan Goldman, a wedding photographer, registered the domain name biggayweddings.com a month ago so she could market her services to same-sex couples. The Ramada hotel in West Hollywood is promoting a honeymoon special, and the West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau is launching an ad in a magazine for the gay community, selling West Hollywood as a good place for weddings and honeymoons.

The bump in advertising targeted at same-sex couples is good for publications. Bill LaPointe, publisher of the Orange County and Long Beach Blade, anticipates a 10% to 15% increase in advertising from wedding vendors. The Blade caters to gay, lesbian and transgender readers.

Macy's published a full-page ad for its wedding and gift registry in the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle on Wednesday, captioned "First comes love. Then comes marriage. And now it's a milestone every couple in California can celebrate."

Same-sex couples can obtain a marriage license in California whether or not they live in the state. That means hotels and airlines might see business from same-sex couples and their guests flying to California to marry.

"It will be the only place where couples from any state can be married legally," said Michael C. Green, president of the Palm Springs Hospitality Assn. and owner of the Triangle Inn, a Palm Springs hotel catering to gay men. That's a boon to places like Palm Springs, which is a popular gay resort destination.

"Our city has been barraged with phone calls from folks who want to come visit and find out how quickly we'll be able to issue licenses," he said.

Sue Jennings and the Rev. Cindi Love, executive director of the gay-oriented Metropolitan Community Churches, live in Texas but will fly to Los Angeles to get married this month. They're planning on spending about $5,000 on a dinner for their guests, flowers, a photographer and clothes for the wedding, even if it means a big credit card bill.

"We've been together 28 years," Love said. "We want to have a ceremony and that acknowledgment of one another."

[Carlos_E]

I bet other states will follow just for the economic benefit. I guess the saying is true. You want something changed, hit them in the wallet!

[Carlos_E]

Not quite Adam and Steve but appropriate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU30H0rkymY

[BgMc31]

I bet other states will follow just for the economic benefit. I guess the saying is true. You want something changed, hit them in the wallet!

It worked in ending segregation. Thanks to the Montgomery bus boycott.

[Coop77]

It makes total sense. Gay couples have a lot of expendable income. Hopefully the people of CA will understand this by Nov.

[Carlos_E]

It makes total sense. Gay couples have a lot of expendable income. Hopefully the people of CA will understand this by Nov.

Here we go:

PlanetOut, a media and entertainment company that conducts surveys about gay and lesbian consumers, says gay consumers earn 20% more than their straight counterparts, on average, and spend about 10% more on nuptials.

[BigLittleTim]

Not quite Adam and Steve but appropriate.

God did not create Adam and STEVE.

He created Adam and STEPHEN.

[ottomaddox]

For all you Star Trek Fans:
'Star Trek' actor George Takei plans gay marriage
http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?ne...1&affid=100055

[CeeLo]

I do not know what to say about this w/o offending someone. I would not have been pro gay marriages.

I don't know about Adam and Stephen either. God created Adam and Eve! How does a member and worst a pastor of a church preach Gayness or Lesbian?

[Carlos_E]

How does a member and worst a pastor of a church preach Gayness or Lesbian?

It's pretty easy. God created and loves all people except you because you have a tattoo around your naval.

Sounds pretty silly right? It's just as silly to say god hates gays because of something that makes them different.

[Coop77]

I do not know what to say about this w/o offending someone. I would not have been pro gay marriages.

I don't know about Adam and Stephen either. God created Adam and Eve! How does a member and worst a pastor of a church preach Gayness or Lesbian?

I won't attempt to argue what "God created" or what anybody's religion says about gays, because it doesn't matter. This isn't Iran. We don't have a national religion and religious law.

When you say "I'm against gay marriage because I'm Christian and God created.. blah blah", you're showing that you don't understand a basic tenet of the US constitution.

[FallenWyvern]

I always thought of marriage as right given to all of us by god.

If your religion allows gay marriage then how could the state of California(or whatever) overrule god.

Personally, I don't think government has a right to issue a marriage license, churches do.

[Tock]

I always thought of marriage as right given to all of us by god.

I always thought that the USA was a nation of laws based on a secular constitution,
not a nation obliged to abide by the teachings of Rev. Jimmy Swaggart (FYI, he's the TV preacher who preached many a spirited sermon against sexual immorality, all the while he was patronizing cheap prostitutes in a Louisiana motel).

Many people tout the spendors of the Ten Commandments, but few can name more than 4 of them, and nobody really intends to live by them, and several of them conflict with the US Constitution.
So, screw the 10 Commandments, and screw anyone who tries to make anyone live by the Bible's rules.

[Tock]

I do not know what to say about this w/o offending someone. I would not have been pro gay marriages.

I don't know about Adam and Stephen either. God created Adam and Eve! How does a member and worst a pastor of a church preach Gayness or Lesbian?

You're referring, of course, to fictions from the Christian Bible. Perhaps you would like to know that the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers) are 100% anonymous. No one knows who wrote them. Some folks say Moses did, but that's quite impossible, since, if you look at the final few verses of the book of Numbers, it mentions how Moses walked away from the people of Israel and was never heard from again -- not the sort of thing you'd read in a biography. And in Genesis, which is set centuries before Moses, it speaks about kings in Israel, which did not exist until centuries after Moses.

Lots of other problems exist with that book, mon ami. Your preachers won't tell you about them because their income depends on you beleiving that the Bible is true.

Nevertheless, if you insist on embracing the Bible (or any religious text) and its fictions, by all means, feel free to do so. Just don't cram it's nonsense down other people's throat.

[CeeLo]

Ok, I give. Everyone is entitled to have their own opinons. This is a subject that is way to HOT for me to handle. I seem to be out number and I'm jumping ship.

I don't have a problem with people who choose to live that life style, but it just aint for me.

[Carlos_E]

Ok, I give. Everyone is entitled to have their own opinons. This is a subject that is way to HOT for me to handle. I seem to be out number and I'm jumping ship.

I don't have a problem with people who choose to live that life style, but it just aint for me.

Your first mistake is calling being gay a choice. Can you tell me the day you chose to be straight? Or have you always had an attraction to women. If you can't answer that, why do you assume people choose to be gay?

The only choice involved is whether or not you choose to tell other people.

[Peducho0113]

Not quite Adam and Steve but appropriate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU30H0rkymY

Carlos this video is funny I was not expecting that ending LOL

[Peducho0113]

Your first mistake is calling being gay a choice. Can you tell me the day you chose to be straight? Or have you always had an attraction to women. If you can't answer that, why do you assume people choose to be gay?

The only choice involved is whether or not you choose to tell other people.

Carlos, I think a lot of people still think that sexuallity is a choice.

[SMCengineer]

I always thought of marriage as right given to all of us by god.

I always thought that the USA was a nation of laws based on a secular constitution,
not a nation obliged to abide by the teachings of Rev. Jimmy Swaggart (FYI, he's the TV preacher who preached many a spirited sermon against sexual immorality, all the while he was patronizing cheap prostitutes in a Louisiana motel).

This part of his part is more relevant than what you quoted and he's absolutley right about it. Marriage should not be handled by the government.

Personally, I don't think government has a right to issue a marriage license, churches do.

[CeeLo]

Carlos, I think a lot of people still think that sexuallity is a choice.

I didn't want to go here, but here we go.... A little debate never really hurt anyone, right? Like I said, I don't have anything against gays, I even have a friend that is one and I think he is the coolest person, I just don't understand it.


Yes, I do think that sexuality is a choice. Not so much even a choice, but a fact of life. If you are born with Testosterone , Testicles, and a Penis, you should be looking for someone with Estrogen, Vagina, and a Clitoris.

I believe that I have always been attracted to the female gender as a man. As far back as can remember, a girl was a facination for me. I believe my recolection takes me back to the 3rd grade. My son whos is in the 1st grade and even in pre-school took a liking to girls.

I believe that it is just the way men and women are made, Like he (God) gave men test and women estrogen.

Then there is the point where Gay and Lesbian couples want to raise a family with kids and all. They can't naturally have one together, so they have to manipulate the system and either adopt or Test tube them. Then how will they raise those kids? Will they allow them to have their own outlook on gainess or will their minds be altered?

[DSM4Life]

edit

[FallenWyvern]

This part of his part is more relevant than what you quoted and he's absolutley right about it. Marriage should not be handled by the government.

I didn't want to go here, but here we go.... A little debate never really hurt anyone, right? Like I said, I don't have anything against gays, I even have a friend that is one and I think he is the coolest person, I just don't understand it.


Yes, I do think that sexuality is a choice. Not so much even a choice, but a fact of life. If you are born with Testosterone , Testicles, and a Penis, you should be looking for someone with Estrogen, Vagina, and a Clitoris.

I believe that I have always been attracted to the female gender as a man. As far back as can remember, a girl was a facination for me. I believe my recolection takes me back to the 3rd grade. My son whos is in the 1st grade and even in pre-school took a liking to girls.

I believe that it is just the way men and women are made, Like he (God) gave men test and women estrogen.

Then there is the point where Gay and Lesbian couples want to raise a family with kids and all. They can't naturally have one together, so they have to manipulate the system and either adopt or Test tube them. Then how will they raise those kids? Will they allow them to have their own outlook on gainess or will their minds be altered?

As a straight man to another straight man(I can't believe I am defending homosexuality).

Why would any one chose to be a minority that is oppressed?

Homosexulity goes all the way back in history, did all those people chose that too?

Animals in the wild are commonly gay, do they chose that? Did your god make them gay too or do they chose?

Plumbing is plumbing. I don't think I will completely understand what it is like to be gay or why they are that way because it is what it is.

To all the gay guys, I am not closet. Sorry, not wired that way.


And wtf is with the having a friend that is gay, is it some sort of novelty to have a gay friend or know someone gay or have a gay uncle??

[DSM4Life]

I didn't want to go here, but here we go.... A little debate never really hurt anyone, right? Like I said, I don't have anything against gays, I even have a friend that is one and I think he is the coolest person, I just don't understand it.


Yes, I do think that sexuality is a choice. Not so much even a choice, but a fact of life. If you are born with Testosterone , Testicles, and a Penis, you should be looking for someone with Estrogen, Vagina, and a Clitoris.

I stopped reading here so i can answer one part.

I have a question for you. When did you choose to be straight ? This is a serious question. When did you sit down at the end of you bed and ask yourself "hmmm do i want to be straight or gay?"

NEVER

You just found yourself one day attracted to a girl and thought, wow she is hot. You went home pulled your pub then started pursuing women. Guess what ? That wasn't a choice you made. You just found something about that female sexually arousing and you went after it. You never decided it, it just happened.

[CeeLo]

Most of what you wrote was a bunch of jibberish! The only thing that I could understand was the last question. To answer that question. By me referencing a gay friend, I was showing that I do not discriminate against gays! It's defiently not a novelty, as you call it, but a sign of acceptance. However, I do not condone it!

As a straight man to another straight man(I can't believe I am defending homosexuality).

Why would any one chose to be a minority that is oppressed?

Homosexulity goes all the way back in history, did all those people chose that too?

Animals in the wild are commonly gay, do they chose that? Did your god make them gay too or do they chose?

Plumbing is plumbing. I don't think I will completely understand what it is like to be gay or why they are that way because it is what it is.

To all the gay guys, I am not closet. Sorry, not wired that way.


And wtf is with the having a friend that is gay, is it some sort of novelty to have a gay friend or know someone gay or have a gay uncle??

[Coop77]

Not a choice: sexuality, attraction, what gives you a boner
Choice: one's actions, "lifestyle", whether you get down with dudes or stay in closet forever

The whole argument about whether one's sexuality is a choice or not is silly. It comes down to semantics, and what you're referring to when you say "gay" - a lifestyle choice, or a sexuality. Of course what someone finds themselves sexually attracted to is not their choice. But whether someone chooses to act on their sexual urges, and go live in West Hollywood is their choice.

[Carlos_E]

[B]I believe that I have always been attracted to the female gender as a man. As far back as can remember, a girl was a facination for me. I believe my recolection takes me back to the 3rd grade. My son whos is in the 1st grade and even in pre-school took a liking to girls.

I believe that it is just the way men and women are made, Like he (God) gave men test and women estrogen.

Here is where your choice theory fails. I believe that I have always been attracted to the male gender as a man. As far back as I can remember, a male was a fascination for me. I believe my recollection takes me back to the 1st grade. I've liked boys when I was in the 1st grade and even in pre-school. You know how kids give cards and gifts for valentines day? When I was in 1st grade I gave cards and gifts for all of the boys, none for the girls. I had my first crush in elementary school on a boy.

I believe that it is just the way I am man, Like he (God) made me this way.

[B]Then there is the point where Gay and Lesbian couples want to raise a family with kids and all. They can't naturally have one together, so they have to manipulate the system and either adopt or Test tube them. Then how will they raise those kids? Will they allow them to have their own outlook on gainess or will their minds be altered?

I have two male friends who have gay parents and both are straight. Having gay parents does not alter your sexuality just as me having straight parents did not alter mine.

[Tock]

Ok, I give. Everyone is entitled to have their own opinons. This is a subject that is way to HOT for me to handle. I seem to be out number and I'm jumping ship.

Nope, not too hot to handle, not if you know something about the subject you speak on . . .

As far as I'm concerned, we're glad to have ya chime in on this topic. If you say something intelligent and have corroborating info to back up your points, you'll earn the esteem and affection of everyone between here and Boca Raton. If you merely repeat someone else's half-baked BS, prepare to meet with energetic thumping and revulsion.

I don't have a problem with people who choose to live that life style, but it just aint for me.

What, did another guy propose to you?

[Tock]

This part of his part is more relevant than what you quoted and he's absolutley right about it. Marriage should not be handled by the government.

If government doesn't keep track of who's declared a personal partnership (or civil union, or whatever you want to call it), then who will?

Gov't shouldn't have to rely on church documents for proof of who's in a civil union and who isn't. And there is no reason that a private religious organization should be able to affect the legal standing of any US citizen before a court of law.

Or do you disagree?

[FallenWyvern]

If government doesn't keep track of who's declared a personal partnership (or civil union, or whatever you want to call it), then who will?

Gov't shouldn't have to rely on church documents for proof of who's in a civil union and who isn't. And there is no reason that a private religious organization should be able to affect the legal standing of any US citizen before a court of law.

Or do you disagree?

Churches get to do nothing with the government as far as documents.

Marriage 99% of the time is a religious event. The government shouldn't be involved in typically religious events. Do you need a government certificate for a bar mitzvahs? However, marriage is a legal designation.

The government should change the word marriage in all legal context to domestic partnership.


I personally was offended when I was married, when the minister said "by the power invested in me by God and the State of California, I now pronounce you man and wife.

WTF, how do you put the power of god and the power of California in the same sentence?

Religious beliefs are generally very illogical(look at jihad) and government shouldn't have anything to do with them.

[Act of God]

I won't attempt to argue what "God created" or what anybody's religion says about gays, because it doesn't matter. This isn't Iran. We don't have a national religion and religious law.

When you say "I'm against gay marriage because I'm Christian and God created.. blah blah", you're showing that you don't understand a basic tenet of the US constitution.

Actually, you don't understand the constitution. There is no right to marriage, because it isn't something the government has POWER to preside over. Marriage is a religious rite and as far as I give a shit anyone can get married. Go marry your sister if it makes you happy.

However, you can't force people to recognize your marriage if their religion says you can't be married. Religious freedom: Its a bitch when it isn't giving you extra liberties eh?

The only equitable solution is simple: Eliminate marriage by the government and issue civil unions to ALL. The entire argument is based around the word marriage, which is easily circumvented. Get your civil union license and shack up,then go find someone to marry you whether it be Elvis, a ship captain, a priest, or the Undertaker.

[Act of God]

I always thought of marriage as right given to all of us by god.

If your religion allows gay marriage then how could the state of California(or whatever) overrule god.

Personally, I don't think government has a right to issue a marriage license, churches do.

You are correct. This is just another example of an overbearing government intruding upon our lives. I love how the liberal abortion mafia mantra is "keep your laws off my body!" and the gay mafia screams "what we do in private is our business" but when it comes to marriage they are screaming for intervention and laws.

hypocrites.

[Coop77]

Actually, you don't understand the constitution. There is no right to marriage, because it isn't something the government has POWER to preside over. Marriage is a religious rite and as far as I give a shit anyone can get married. Go marry your sister if it makes you happy.

However, you can't force people to recognize your marriage if their religion says you can't be married. Religious freedom: Its a bitch when it isn't giving you extra liberties eh?

The only equitable solution is simple: Eliminate marriage by the government and issue civil unions to ALL. The entire argument is based around the word marriage, which is easily circumvented. Get your civil union license and shack up,then go find someone to marry you whether it be Elvis, a ship captain, a priest, or the Undertaker.

I didn't say there was anything in the constitution about marriage. I was saying that those who think our laws should be based on religious doctrine (which is ultimately what all the anti gay rights arguments come down to) don't understand the importance of separation of church and state.

I totally agree with everything you said (except for the first sentence of course), and with your solution. The religious element of "marriage" and the necessary government recognition (marriage license) of a domestic partnership for tax benefits, insurance benefits, living will, inheritance, etc.. totally don't mix. When the religious ideals of some clash with the freedoms of others, we have problems.

[DSM4Life]

cpreasha you never answered my post.

[Act of God]

I didn't say there was anything in the constitution about marriage. I was saying that those who think our laws should be based on religious doctrine (which is ultimately what all the anti gay rights arguments come down to) don't understand the importance of separation of church and state.

I totally agree with everything you said (except for the first sentence of course), and with your solution. The religious element of "marriage" and the necessary government recognition (marriage license) of a domestic partnership for tax benefits, insurance benefits, living will, inheritance, etc.. totally don't mix. When the religious ideals of some clash with the freedoms of others, we have problems.

My bad, I thought you were saying the constitution provides for gay marriage...or any kind of marriage.

[CeeLo]

cpreasha you never answered my post.

I thought I did answer your post in post #20. To me I don't think that I needed to make a choice. It was understood and it was the Norm. Maybe when I was like 3 or 4, I said "Man, she sure looks pretty and I wonder if she will kiss me".

[Carlos_E]

I thought I did answer your post in post #20. To me I don't think that I needed to make a choice. It was understood and it was the Norm. Maybe when I was like 3 or 4, I said "Man, she sure looks pretty and I wonder if she will kiss me".

What you're not getting or refusing to understand it's the norm for us. I was like 3 or 4, I said "Man, he sure looks attractive. I wonder if he will kiss me".

[the_rebirth]

I bet other states will follow just for the economic benefit. I guess the saying is true. You want something changed, hit them in the wallet!

Oh that statement is ohh soo true!!

( btw: carlos_e nice sig pic! I have not been here for a while now)

[DSM4Life]

What you're not getting or refusing to understand it's the norm for us. I was like 3 or 4, I said "Man, he sure looks attractive. I wonder if he will kiss me".

I thought he would have been able to pick up on that on his own , guess not

[SMCengineer]

If government doesn't keep track of who's declared a personal partnership (or civil union, or whatever you want to call it), then who will?

So, you need the government to tell you who your friends are or do you just want the government to make a friendship official? I don't understand where you think the government needs to intervene in this part of your life or why you even think this is part of the governments responsibility.

Gov't shouldn't have to rely on church documents for proof of who's in a civil union and who isn't. And there is no reason that a private religious organization should be able to affect the legal standing of any US citizen before a court of law.

Or do you disagree?

I don't disagree at all. In fact, this is exactly what I'm arguing. I don't understand the confusion. Government shouldn't be involved in marriage, thus church documents wouldn't matter in a US court of law.

[Coop77]

So, you need the government to tell you who your friends are or do you just want the government to make a friendship official? I don't understand where you think the government needs to intervene in this part of your life or why you even think this is part of the governments responsibility.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your point of view, but I don't see any way around some kind of official government acknowledgment of marriage/domestic partnerships. Tax benefits, health insurance, life insurance, living wills, inheritance.. many different things typically only accorded to legal spouses would become really complicated.

For instance, say a rich dude died and two different women claimed to be his widow. You've got to have something documented.