Gay Marriage Brings in Big Bucks for New York City — Dollars and Sense

Many proponents of gay marriage have mentioned how much money can be reaped from all those additional couples tying the knot — and it seems New York City just proved how right they are.

Since legalizing same-sex unions a year ago, the Big Apple has pulled in almost $260 million in related revenue.

Much of that money resulted from the approximately 8,200 marriage licenses issued to gay couples, which is a tenth of all marriage licenses issued in the city overall.

But the tourism industry has also gotten a healthy shot in the arm — more than 200,000 out-of-town guests have traveled to NYC for same-sex wedding receptions, and those people pay an average daily hotel-room rate of $275.

Add to that the money being made by caterers, florists and other wedding professionals, and it’s easy to see why Mayor Michael Bloomberg is so pleased.

“Marriage equality has made our city more open, inclusive and free,” he said at a news conference, “and it has also helped to create jobs and support our economy.”

[Bloomberg]