What are the views on the legalization of gay marriage?

Gay marriage is beneficial to the economy

Question: What are the views on the legalization of gay marriage?
Position1 of 4›: Gay marriage should be legalized
Argument1 of 4›: Gay marriage is beneficial to the economy

A country or state can create a more competitive economic market by legalizing gay marriage. Many businesses argue that legalizing gay marriage would allow employers a larger pool of creative and hard-working employees. Local economies would also benefit from the revenue from weddings and marriage license fees.

The argument

This argument sets aside questions of rights and makes an economic case instead, which is why top business leaders often endorse gay marriage: the benefits it identifies accrue to a country or region rather than only to the couples concerned. The first mechanism is competition between jurisdictions for people. By legalizing gay marriage, a country or state can make itself more competitive than other economic markets, because homosexual couples will view the region more favourably when looking for work. Where people are willing to move depends on whether their relationships will be recognised when they arrive, so a jurisdiction that recognises them attracts applicants a neighbouring one does not. Local employers can then recruit from a wider talent pool, which matters most in sectors where skills are scarce and firms are competing for the same small number of candidates. The second mechanism is fiscal, and it works in two ways. As more people are drawn to the area, the local economy also benefits from taxes, so the gain is not confined to the employers who hire them. The government also generates additional revenue more directly, from same-sex marriage license fees and from the activity that surrounds the weddings themselves. The figure offered indicates the scale these effects can reach. Economists estimate that the state of Massachusetts enjoyed an economic windfall of $111 million due to its decision to legalize same-sex marriage. On this account legalisation is not simply a concession that costs nothing but a measurable gain to public revenue and to the labour market, which is why proponents hold that the case can be made on economic grounds alone, independently of any argument about equality.

Context

A government's role is to make decisions in the financial interests of its citizens. Legalising same-sex marriage has more economic benefits than prohibiting it.

Premises

[P1]Legalising gay marriage makes a region more competitive, letting employers recruit from a wider talent pool of same-sex couples. [P2] As more people are drawn to the area, the economy benefits from their taxes and from marriage-licence fees. [P3] Massachusetts, for example, enjoyed an estimated $111 million windfall after legalising same-sex marriage. [C] Therefore, because gay marriage benefits the economy, it should be legalised.

Counter-arguments

Supporting same-sex marriage on economic terms is not good for anyone. The economic argument has no place in the debate. Firstly, linking civil rights to economic perks is dehumanising. The value of having gays, lesbian and bisexual couples in society goes well beyond any economic perks afforded to the society. Secondly, if we accept this as a valid argument for gay marriage, what happens if in the future circumstances change and it no longer makes economic sense to keep gay marriage legal? Are marriage rights taken away from homosexual couples? Conflating civil rights with economic benefits is a dangerous connection to make and could have disastrous long-term implications.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] Civil rights are more important than economic rights. A government's legislation should always reflect that.