There have been three separate cases of states changing the legality of same sex marriage in 2014, two by court ruling and one by legislative vote. Same-sex marriage advocates in Wyoming are championing a new study outlining projected economic benefits of changing the state’s existing laws.
In December of 2012, Adam Stevenson, a professor of economics at the University of Michigan, published a study in “National Tax Journal”that examined the possible economic effects that may occur upon the integration of same sex couples into marital tax law.
The Williams Institute, based out of UCLA’s School of Law, expanded upon the study. According to the Williams Institute webpage, the legalization of same sex marriages in the state could result in a revenue increase of close to $2.4 million.
With economic factors being taken into account on what has previously been largely considered a social issue, some members of the Wyoming LGBTQ community question whether or not economic arguments are appropriate for this issue.
“I think the most important argument, of course, is the social one,” said Nick Jesse, a senior in the Communication and Journalism department. “We haven’t even fully moved past the issue of race in this country, despite all the laws passed during the Civil Rights Movement.”
Jesse said he fears a focus on the economic consequences of same sex marriage complicates the subject in a negative manner.
“I always used to bring up the economic reasons to support marriage equality laws because it seems like to get anything done in this country, you have to appeal to capitalism,” Jesse said. “I just think that takes away from the fact that this is a social issue.”
According to a Sept. 18 press release, the nationwide group Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has recently announced that it is fully committed to promoting human rights in the state of Wyoming by providing a continuously staffed presence in the state.
Unlike some advocacy groups in the state, the HRC views gay rights as an issue that needs to be confronted as a “bottom to top” issue, said Laura Rischob, a media spokesperson at HCR.
“Our focus is less so on marriage equality when it comes to LGBTQ affairs,” said Rischomb. “Integrating the LGBTQ community in all aspects of life and society is more important to us.”
While Rischomb said that marriage rights are no small issue, it is by no means the answer to the problem of social equality.
“We’re an organization that aims to provide a support system for the LGBTQ community, while providing a method wherein which issues can be brought to the public forum,” Rischomb said. “This is a slow process where the simple passing of legislation may not permanently solve the problem of discrimination.”
