Estimating the Economic Boost of Marriage Equality in Minnesota
Extending marriage rights to same-sex couples in Minnesota would bring an estimated $42 million to the state and local economy. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 10,207 same-sex couples live in Minnesota. Total state and local tax revenue would rise by $3 million, including an estimated $128,000 in local taxes. As seen in Iowa, same-sex couples from neighboring states that do not allow same-sex couples to marry may travel to Minnesota and generate additional spending on wedding and tourism-related goods and services.
The Effect of Marriage Equality and Domestic Partnership on Business and the Economy
As public discussion of the issue of marriage equality for same-sex couples continues in many parts of the United States, policymakers have asked about the larger economic impact of recognizing same-sex couples. This brief outlines the potential benefits and costs to businesses if states grant marriage rights or domestic partner/civil union status to same-sex couples. We assume that those state policies would require employers to treat same-sex spouses or partners of employees in the same way that different-sex spouses are treated.
Marriage, Registration and Dissolution by Same-Sex Couples in the U.S.
This study analyzes data from states that have extended legal recognition to same-sex couples. Analyses show that same-sex couples want and use these new legal statuses. Furthermore, they react more enthusiastically when marriage is possible. More than 40% of same-sex couples have formed legal unions in states where such recognition is available. Same-sex couples prefer marriage over civil unions or domestic partnerships. In the first year that marriage was offered in Massachusetts, 37% of same-sex couples there married. In states that offered civil unions, only 12% of same-sex couples took advantage of this status in the first year and only 10% did so in states with domestic partnership registries.