LGBT Equality: It's the Economy, Stupid

Illinois State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), one of two openly gay members of the state General Assembly, and the House sponsor of a civil union bill, told the Lincoln Daily News that he would like to pass a civil union bill "as soon as possible." He then added, "But every member of the General Assembly has two priorities on their mind right now: jobs and the economy, and the terrible state the budget is in."

Here are a few arguments I can think of that he can use to convince his colleagues.

Civil unions generate money. There’s a filing fee. Sometimes people throw a party, too. The Williams Institute of UCLA estimated that if civil unions became legal in Hawaii (no estimates have yet been done for Illinois), couples would spend $4.2 to $9.5 million on the celebrations over four years. Out-of-state guest travel could bring in another $17.8 to $40.3 million in Hawaii over four years on hotels, food, entertainment, and retail. These estimates don’t even include gift spending by any of the guests.

Full, legal marriages would likely have an even greater impact. If New Jersey enacted marriage equality, for example, the Williams Institute estimated that it would boost the state economy by over $200 million and generate $15.1 million in new revenues for state and local governments. Again, there are no estimates for Illinois, but I have to imagine there would still be significant, positive economic effects.

Civil unions and marriages create jobs. Marriage equality in New Jersey would create 1,400 jobs in the state, says Williams. Civil unions in Hawaii would create 193 to 333 new jobs. And studies have shown that LGBT-friendly policies attract highly skilled workers to a state, especially those in the “Creative Class,” such as financiers, software engineers, artists, teachers, and scientists.

As much as we like to promote LGBT rights because we feel they uphold our country’s promise of equal rights and liberty for all, therefore, I think we might do better if we shift our emphasis to the economic reasons for enacting them.

Leaving marriage aside, for example, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) is intended to keep Americans working. Yes, it is a civil rights bill, too — but I have to agree with those who suggest that a shift in emphasis might be what is needed to finally pass the legislation. How can a government say it is doing everything in its power to keep people employed if it won’t pass ENDA? Same goes for a repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell," which would keep our servicemembers in their jobs.

There are more arguments to be made and more analyses to be done. The Williams Institute does a fantastic job, but they are just one small group. And it is up to others to make the most of their work in talking with the media and to our elected officials. If the economy is — understandably — on people’s minds, then we have to key our arguments to that. Over and over. The alternative is to wait through another session of Congress (or sessions of state legislatures) and see most LGBT-related bills get backburnered once again.

Yes, we should work for LGBT equality because it is the morally right thing to do. But a little economic incentive never hurts.

Photo credit: yomanimus