One Iowa in the News: Iowa Economy Netted More Than $12 Million From Gay Marriage

from On Top Magazine.

The legalization of gay marriage has boosted Iowa's economy, a new study from the California-based Williams Institute has found.

According to the study, the weddings of gay and lesbian couples added between $12 and $13 million to the Iowa economy in the first 12 months since it was legalized in April of 2009. State and local tax coffers increased by an estimated $850,000 to $930,000 from the weddings.

At least 2,099 such weddings took place in the first year, 1,233 of which were between out-of-state gay couples.

“It is possible that out-of-state same-sex couples spent up to an additional $1.6 million on tourism during their brief stay in Iowa,” the report's authors said.

Troy Price, executive director of One Iowa, the state's largest gay rights advocate, said in a statement that the study showed that marriage equality has a positive impact.

“The Williams Institute report demonstrates once again that marriage equality has had, and continues to have, only a positive impact on our state,” said Price.

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