Queer (Economic) Theory

Jeff Winkler | April 6, 2009

After the unanimous decision by the Iowa Supreme Court to overturn the state's ban on gay marriage on Friday, Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) warned that the Tall Corn State could become a "gay marriage Mecca." In these sour economic times, however, that might not be a bad idea. Apparently, prosperity and wealth is sooo gay:

Millions of dollars in tourism and tax revenue could flow into Iowa as a result of the Iowa Supreme Court's historic decision to legalize same-sex marriage, according to a range of scholars and business people....

Unlike Connecticut and Massachusetts–the other states that permit gay marriage–Iowa has no nearby competitors for same-sex couples who want to marry.

Businesses could see $160 million in new wedding and tourism spending over the next three years, according to a study from researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles.

The Des Moines Register article goes on to calculate how much other states could rake in if they were just a little more gay-friendly:

Vermont stands to gain $30.6 million and 700 new jobs over three years if it were to legalize gay marriage, said UCLA law professor Brad Sears, the institute's executive director....

Maine, where lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow gay marriage, would receive a $60 million boost and 1,000 new jobs in the same three-year period, he said. California's economy would grow by $683.3 million, which would create and sustain nearly 2,200 jobs.

Al Capone's old stomping ground has also recognized the benefits of attracting the Velvet Mafia, whose members tend to be well-traveled, educated, and real DINKs (Double Income No Kids):

Travel agents and industry organizations across the country say the gay and lesbian community has proven far less willing than straight travelers to sacrifice vacations. Hotel chains, destination cities and airlines hit hard by the flailing economy are now digging in and chasing what's known as "pink money."

Gays and lesbians also tend to spend more when they travel. A 2006 study by the U.S. Travel Association found that gay men spend an average of $800 per trip, compared with about $540 for straight men.

Observers of this fabulous economic boost note that the long-term advantages are still unclear. But if you're going to rally the U.S. out of a recession, might as well do it in style. 

Senior Editor Jacob Sullum blogged the Iowa ruling here. More Reason Gay/Lesbian coverage here.

Comments

|4.6.09 @ 1:41PM|#

gay men spend an average of $800 per trip, compared with about $540 for straight men.


that can't all be explained by astro glide..

average dad|4.6.09 @ 1:42PM|#

If I was unmarried and childless I too would be able to wear expensive outfits, go on lavish vacations, and live in a exciting urban center while spending as much time as necessary to climbn the corporate ladder.

It seems gay folks want to get rid of the positive side effects of being gay. Do they really want to become an overweight harrassed father like me, condemned to drinking cheap beer and yelling at Hannity for the next 15 years while those little monsters set fire to the garage?

|4.6.09 @ 1:45PM|#

A 2006 study by the U.S. Travel Association found that gay men spend an average of $800 per trip, compared with about $540 for straight men.

Get the full body wax before you go to the Bahamas, dudes. Seriously.

|4.6.09 @ 1:46PM|#

It seems gay folks want to get rid of the positive side effects of being gay. Do they really want to become an overweight harrassed father like me, condemned to drinking cheap beer and yelling at Hannity for the next 15 years while those little monsters set fire to the garage?

Maybe it's a case of the grass is greener.

|4.6.09 @ 1:46PM|#

This heterosexuality thing just doesn't make any sense economically.

Where do I go to change my sexuality? Is there a form I need to fill out, or an office I need to go to? Please tell me soon. I am in a lot of debt and need an economic boost asap.

|4.6.09 @ 1:48PM|#

Is there a form I need to fill out, or an office I need to go to?

Actually, yeah. Just go to Craigslist and post that exact thing: you're straight, broke, and in need of a quick economic boost.

I'm sure something will work itself out.

|4.6.09 @ 1:51PM|#

Just go to Craigslist and post that exact thing

Ok, I did it, but all I ended up with someone's hand-me-down sofa and a job at Chipotle.

Jerry|4.6.09 @ 1:52PM|#

Iowa doesn't even have to change its Got Corn state slogan.

|4.6.09 @ 1:54PM|#

Ok, I did it, but all I ended up with someone's hand-me-down sofa and a job at Chipotle.

Yeah, it's pretty hit or miss. Just give it a little time.

|4.6.09 @ 1:56PM|#

Iowa doesn't even have to change its Got Corn state slogan.

"Got Cornholed"

|4.6.09 @ 1:57PM|#

"Got Cornholed"

Wasn't that the implication?

And what's with the gay sex fixation on this site? I don't get it.

|4.6.09 @ 1:59PM|#

Just give it a little time.

No need. An official representative of gays is sending me something called "The International Male" catalog. Apparently I just need to order some clothing from there and the rest is taken care of down at corporate headquarters.

|4.6.09 @ 2:00PM|#

As if I need a particular reason to refer to anal sex, Solana. Please.

Art-P.O.G.|4.6.09 @ 2:14PM|#

As if I need a particular reason to refer to anal sex, Solana. Please.

You sure don't, tiger. ::winks at Epi:::

|4.6.09 @ 2:15PM|#

A lot of gays are nervous about too much acceptance. There's no law that says gay people won't become bland and suburban once they're recognize as normal citizens. The fact that we can't easily get knocked up leaves us with plenty of leisure time and disposable income to make the world a more fabulous place. With gay nuclear families, we might become just as useless as straight people!

Abdul|4.6.09 @ 2:17PM|#

If Iowa went the extra step and subsidized gay marriage and honeymoons, I still don't think the state would see an increase in tourism. Let's face it, Captain kirk's future birthplace is not high on the "bucket list" for gay couples.

|4.6.09 @ 2:20PM|#

Other than 20+ years of Madonna, I'm totally cool with gay people. But Iowa is not exactly a romantic destination wedding locale. I keep waiting for Ed to make my uncle an honest man, but no one wants corn in the background of all their wedding photos.

Jeff P|4.6.09 @ 2:20PM|#

But imagine the boost to Kirk slash fanfic...

|4.6.09 @ 2:23PM|#

If Iowa went the extra step and subsidized gay marriage

huh?

|4.6.09 @ 2:23PM|#

Other than 20+ years of Madonna, I'm totally cool with gay people.

Excuses, excuses. What about Barbara Streisand?

(gags uncontrollably)

I think I need to sit down.

|4.6.09 @ 2:27PM|#

What about Barbara Streisand?

I'm not going to condemn the yentas for loving one of their own. Like Bette Midler, Barbara is just a side-project, not the core audience.

kinnath|4.6.09 @ 2:34PM|#

. . . I still don't think the state would see an increase in tourism.

We have a three day waiting period. You go to get your license, then have to wait three days before you get married.

So the local hotels are starting to talk about special 4-day vacation packages . . .

Bluto|4.6.09 @ 2:36PM|#

"And what's with the gay sex fixation on this site? I don't get it."

It's a hold over from when Tim Cavenaugh was a regular here (though closeted of course).

|4.6.09 @ 2:40PM|#

When buttsecks ceases to be shocking, we will cease to bring it up. Your discomfort fuels the humor of it.

Canter|4.6.09 @ 2:40PM|#

"No need. An official representative of gays is sending me something called "The International Male" catalog."

http://www.internationalmale.com/

Bowers v. Hardwick|4.6.09 @ 2:43PM|#

The supreme court has ruled that the guy that bows get the hard wick.

|4.6.09 @ 2:51PM|#

And what's with the gay sex fixation on this site? I don't get it.

I suspect it correlates strongly with the gay marriage fixation on this site.

|4.6.09 @ 2:52PM|#

So the local hotels are starting to talk about special 4-day vacation packages . . .

"Yes, we have a special rate on 4-day, er, packages."

"That's excellent. How much of discount does one of those have?"

"Who said anything about a discount?"

|4.6.09 @ 3:00PM|#

When buttsecks ceases to be shocking, we will cease to bring it up. Your discomfort fuels the humor of it.

I don't find it shocking. I'm not the one perseverating on it. I just think that there are a lot of closet cases on this board (closet Republicans, I mean).

Cabeza De Vaca|4.6.09 @ 3:28PM|#

"I still don't think the state would see an increase in tourism"

We have lots of exciting things to see here. For instance you could go to Strawberry Point,Ia home of the world's largest fiberglass strawberry.

tim|4.6.09 @ 3:35PM|#

"And what's with the gay sex fixation on this site? I don't get it."

Gay MALE sex fixation. You will notice that they don't seem to obsess over lesbian sex.

|4.6.09 @ 3:40PM|#

I don't find it shocking.

But do you find it uncomfortable? That is the real question.

|4.6.09 @ 3:42PM|#

I saw Jeff Winkler take it in the ass on Saturday night.

Unfortunately, "it" was a rusty blowdart.

|4.6.09 @ 3:43PM|#

You will notice that they don't seem to obsess over lesbian sex.

Because we know actual lesbians. Saturday book club doesn't figure too highly in my fantasies. Neither does gay male sex, but there are at least jokes to be had there.

Mokers|4.6.09 @ 3:49PM|#

Because we know actual lesbians. Saturday book club doesn't figure too highly in my fantasies. Neither does gay male sex, but there are at least jokes to be had there.

I don't know how two women would have sex, unless they just scissor or something.

http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/104423

T|4.6.09 @ 4:11PM|#

Because we know actual lesbians.

Yeah, the pr0n ones are much better. Real lesbians do make some pretty lethal mixed drinks, though. Nothing like a batch of old queens and dykes for liquor consumption. I'm surprised they don't all die of liver failure by the time they're 50.

|4.6.09 @ 5:21PM|#

Nothing like a batch of old queens and dykes for liquor consumption.

It's just the straights can't seem to hold their liquor. If one, male or female, ever tags along to the gay bar, it's pretty much guaranteed they'll be puking and stumbling around at about the midway point of our drinking.

jtuf|4.6.09 @ 5:47PM|#

Once again, tolerance is good business.

not the real jb|4.6.09 @ 7:02PM|#

Simpsons did this like ten years ago. Mayor Quimby legalized gay marriage for the revenue generated. Homer got a marriage license then found out Thelma was gay...

Art-P.O.G.|4.6.09 @ 11:46PM|#

It's just the straights can't seem to hold their liquor.

I am deeply offended by this stereotype. ;)