Study: Indiana could cash in on same-sex weddings

The three authors of the study — public policy fellow E. G. Fitzgerald, senior counsel Christy Mallory and research director M.V. Lee Badgett — concluded that the state could cash in on $39.1 million during the first three years of same-sex marriage being legal from wedding expenses, guest spending and sales taxes. The first year itself is expected to generate $25 million.

“This study confirms that all (Hoosiers) benefit from marriage for same-sex couples, not just the LGBT community,” Badgett said in a news release.

To determine the overall economic impact, the study first determined the number of same-sex couples living in the state to estimate the number that would marry within the next three years. According to the 2010 Census, 11,074 same-sex couples live in Indiana.