Should Nevada Legalize Gay Marriage?
That's the take espoused by an editorial in the Reno News & Review of June 19, 2008. The editorial cites Las Vegas Weekly columnist Steve Friess, who quotes University of California Law School professor Gary Gates: "We estimate that over the next three years, the California decision will generate $700 million in spending on weddings, so obviously Nevada is missing out on a piece of that pie. We estimate that this will add more than $50 million in taxes to the state’s coffers and create more than 2,000 jobs. The unique position in Nevada is that Vegas is clearly known for weddings. That’s an easy fit."
The same can be said about Reno / Tahoe weddings and the related jobs and tax revenue the marriage industry supports here in northern Nevada. Considering your own legal, moral, and economic issues, I ask, "Should Nevada legalize gay marriage?" Feel free to leave a comment after you vote.
Comments
My partner and I had our commitment ceremony in Vegas years ago . . .to this day, I call it our “fake” wedding. If it became legal, I think we would go back to Nevada for a “real” one!
People are so stupid this might be just what our economy needs! In a state where gambling and prositution are legal gay marriages are illegal? It makes no sense.
Thank you for your article. My spouse of 6 years and I may have been the first Reno couple to marry on June 27, 2008 in San Francisco and after the ceremony we were interviewed by the local ABC station and I said the very same thing with the exception on legalizing same gender marriage in Nevada shouldn’t be a big deal since they have legal prostitution same gender marriage would be a step up! We are asking for any information on whom we would need to talk to to get this challenge started here! Any suggestions?!
Yes, it does seem rather inconsistent that a state with legal prostitution and casino gambling would not permit gay marriage. Such are the quirks of Nevada politics. I don’t know of any Nevada organizations working on this, but I suspect it will start happening. The Nevada legislature meets in 2009, so perhaps the climate will have changed since the November elections are just about a sure bet to move things toward the more liberal side.
On august 8, 2008 mp partner of 9 years and I were married in California. We live in Las Vegas. We are now also considering retiring in California rather than Nevada. More money out the door for a state that says it is legal to have prostitution, has strip clubs on every corner and yet same sex marriage threatens their society? What is up with that logic? So while Mary Jane’s husband is off in Nye County supporting his marriage with a legal prostitute, we will go and live in California as a happily married couple supporting the economy and rights of others.
My partner of 32 years and i were married in tahoe city california on august 9 2008. we live in carson city nv. but want to move back to california. nevada should legalize same sex marriages. they are missing out on $ that are are being spent in california where same sex marriages is legal. how much sense does that make?
The poll is running about 3 to 1 in favor of legalizing same sex marriage in Nevada.
I think it speaks for itself when people who have commented here are going to California to get married, taking their money and talents with them. Maybe folks in Nevada will finally get it some day. Let’s see, casino gambling and drinking 24/7, legal prostitution, Burning Man, etc. Why not same sex marriage? And let us not forget that lots of those same couples would come back when it’s time to divorce.
Of course! Nevada is so slow when it comes to litigation compared to the rest of the country. Gay marriage nationwide is ultimately inevitable we now have FOUR states that have legalized gay unions/marriage. Nevada might as well take the lead and make some money doing so. I’m very young still, but totally gay, and of course I want to be married one day isn’t that all part of the ‘dream’? Born and raised in NEVADA I have faith that within this DECADE we will most definitely see Gay Marriage legalized and embraced in my home state of NEVADA.
“honnies if ur gay burn it up like the pride parade! livin’ up ur life till the day u die~”
i think that legalizing gay marriage in Nevada would be great for the economy. my partner and i live in florida but if it were legal we would go to Las Vegas and tie the knot. all our friends and family would come along too and spend lots and lots of money…come on Nevada do it!!!
$$$$$ for them if they do, but only in a timely manner!