| As New Jersey continues its own winding path toward marriage equality, the big news this week comes from our nation's capitol, where the DC Council voted 11-2 in favor of marriage equality yesterday, with the city's Mayor eager to make it the law of the District. Though it won't silence the race-baiters who keep trying to pit the African-American community against extending the freedom to marry to same-sex couples, it is noteworthy that 5 of the 7 African-American Councilmembers voted yes (and marriage expert Marion Barry being one of the "no" votes).
More noteworthy was the study by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, created in the weeks leading up to the Council vote, which found: more than 10,000 same-sex couples from across the country could get married in the District over the next three years if the measure becomes law ... which could pump millions of dollars into the regional economy Of course, this isn't the first study to look into the huge economic benefit marriage equality would bring to states where same-sex couples can marry. But, the DC analysis is just another reminder of how important marriage equality is - not just to the people who want to marry, and those who support their right to do so, but to the majority of New Jersey voters for whom the most important issues are finding a job for themselves and having the state find a source of revenue other than their property taxes.
Win. Win. Win!
And what's most noteworthy? New Jersey is uniquely situated to explode those financial estimates, sitting as it does in the shadow of New York state, which recognizes out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples.
Food. Beverage. Flowers. Limos. Tuxedos. Gowns. Shoes. Bands. DJ's. Hotels.
Just sayin'. |
