As Of Today: 1,857 Same-Gendered Marriages!

Same-sex marriage an economic powerhouse (4.00 / 4)

Rep. Splaine: Here are some extremely conservative estimates.

According to the Knot (http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-budget/qa/what-does-the-average-wedding-cost.aspx) the average wedding costs $27,800 -- more for large urban areas.

If we assume that most same-sex weddings will be somewhat smaller (either the couples have been together for a longer period of time, or some are simply interested in signing papers at city hall), let's just knock that down to a flat $15,000 per ceremony.

1,857 x $15,000 = $27,855,000

Then let's estimate spending by guests, etc. Let's say that each wedding has 10 out-of-state guests, and each of those guests spends $500 while in the state (again, we're being conservative, here).

1,857 x 10 x $500 = $9,285,000

Therefore, in our most conservative estimate, in the two years same-sex marriage has been legal in New Hampshire, it has contributed some $37 million dollars to the state's economy.

That's $37 million dollars.

At $40,000 a person, that's enough money to add 464 jobs to New Hampshire for those two years. (Obviously this is a simplistic way to slice things, but still.)

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Less-conservative estimates. If we want to go further, though, let's take the estimate as provided by The Knot.

1,857 x $27,800 = $51,624,600

And let's estimate 15 out-of-state guests, each spending $1,000 during their time here.

1,857 x 15 x $1,000 = $27,855,000

That totals $79.5 million dollars.

And that's enough to add 993 jobs paying $40,000 a year for those two years.

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Either way you slice it, same-sex marriage has brought tens of millions of dollars into New Hampshire and potentially created many new jobs.

A good question to ask anti-equality forces: Why do you want to hurt New Hampshire's economy?

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by: Hampshire Ite @ Fri Jan 27, 2012 at 21:25:07 PM UTC

Radio Ad (4.00 / 3)

I have never heard a more disgusting radio ad as the one I heard today from NOM.  First they claim civil unions provide the same legal rights a marriage, they don't.  Then they claim that same sex marriage has somehow already had damaging effects (churches loosing tax status, law suits to Inn keepers.  I'd like to know of any lawsuit that has happened in NH like this).

The biggest lie is also the most hypocritical.  The ad asserts that outside special interests forced same sex marriage on NH.  What a bunch of g*d damned hypocrites.  Who do you think you are NOM!?  Take your hatred elsewhere, NH doesn't want your outside influence on our state.

Jim, I thank you for your constant updates on the number of happy couples in NH!

"We start working to beat these guys right now." -Jed Bartlet

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by: cblodg @ Fri Jan 27, 2012 at 22:11:59 PM UTC

NOM's Myth, Or Much Worse (4.00 / 3)

I can attest first-hand to the fact that no one from out-of-state -- no organization or individual -- asked me to introduce either the Civil Unions bill in 2007 or gay marriage in 2009.  Nor did any organization, group, or political party within the state.  My constituents asked me to -- those who elected me.  

It was New Hampshire-initiated and New Hampshire-passed.  We did it the New Hampshire Way, and we should be proud of that.

It passed because hundreds of New Hampshire citizens spoke at public hearings in the House and Senate in February and April, 2009, and thousands of our citizens communicated their support to our House members, our Senators, and our Governor.  

For NOM or anyone to say otherwise is a myth, or much worse.  Now, NOM is trying to intimidate, threaten, buy, and bribe our elected officials to repeal a law that has provided equality and fairness.  Who's using their big bucks to try to influence the people of our state now?

[I'm a former has-been House member and State Senator, but I keep "Rep." on my ID name for easy reference of previous posts.]

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Sat Jan 28, 2012 at 00:22:25 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Have to say ... (4.00 / 1)

... I am unsure about who they are convincing of their case. I have read or seen little from them that isn't already directed at the hardest of the hardcore social conservatives.

They don't speak in the language or with the values of this state. They don't even have a local group of their own -- just a hastily thrown together website.

We must speak out and speak out forcefully, but I am also heartened by strength and conviction of the anti-repeal campaign so far, and by the utter flimsiness of the opposition.

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by: Hampshire Ite @ Sat Jan 28, 2012 at 00:41:57 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I have been polled twice by them, (3.50 / 2)

once today, once a while back.  It was fun to answer "no" to their lead question--"Do you believe marriage should only be between one man and one woman?"

I am wondering how accurate this polling will be, seeing that they "randomly" chose my number twice!  How many other polled people were called more than once?  How many foes of gay marriage were polled more than once--or twice--or...?

You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.  (John Morley, 1838-1923)

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by: Marjorie Porter @ Sat Jan 28, 2012 at 16:39:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

They also said (0.00 / 0)

gay marriage was one of the most important issues facing NH today.  
Oh, really?

You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.  (John Morley, 1838-1923)

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by: Marjorie Porter @ Sat Jan 28, 2012 at 16:43:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I agree; getting push-polled is fun when you know what's going on. (4.00 / 1)

The only polls worth paying attention to are the ones with neutral wording, because anything else distorts the results. But when called by a push poll, it's fun to enthusiastically embrace the straw man answers. It's vaguely Colbert-esque.

--
Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Sat Jan 28, 2012 at 19:30:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

married out of NH (0.00 / 0)

...what's not included in that stat is any family formed out of state. My husband and I married in Canada in 2007, and now enjoy equal protections in NH...including the clear right to adopt:)

Running for State Rep 2012 in Hillsborough District 2
Aaron Gill, Deering: nhgill.com Twitter: Gill4NHStateRep

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by: nhveedub @ Sun Jan 29, 2012 at 15:05:45 PM UTC

Absolutely! Perhaps Hundreds... (0.00 / 0)

...and eventually thousands.  Thanks.  And congratulations.  

[I'm a former has-been House member and State Senator, but I keep "Rep." on my ID name for easy reference of previous posts.]

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Sun Jan 29, 2012 at 15:33:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

What a friend we have in Romney. (0.00 / 0)

Mitt Romney's campaign today unveiled its Social Conservatives Coalition along with a letter from nine Massachusetts activists defending Romney's conservative credentials on abortion rights and gay rights while governor. As Jeremy Hooper noted, one of such activists includes Roberto Miranda, who claimed that Satan is behind marriage equality and directly tied advances for gay rights to the attacks on September 11th, 2001.

Yep, gay rights are tied to flying planes into buildings.  Hurricanes are probably another result of marriage equality.  

Why would anyone support a man with friends like these?

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/

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by: mevansnh @ Mon Jan 30, 2012 at 21:51:31 PM UTC

Marriage Equality's Future (0.00 / 0)

N.H. unlikely to repeal marriage law, Republicans say
Republican New Hampshire lawmakers say a bill that would end marriage for same-sex couples in the state is unlikely to become law this year. Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat, has vowed to veto the bill if it reaches his desk, and it appears that enough legislators, including multiple Republicans, oppose the measure to prevent it from passing with a veto-proof margin. Recent polls indicate that New Hampshire voters are clearly against overturning the current law that allows gays and lesbians to marry.

I don't subscribe to the Concord Monitor, but according to Gay Politics Report, the above story was found in the paper of Jan. 29th.

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by: mevansnh @ Tue Jan 31, 2012 at 20:53:06 PM UTC