Why Defeat of Prop 8 Is Good for Business and for Marriage

When I first heard about Judge Walker's decision to overturn Prop 8, I wasn't sure how to react. Personally, I was excited about the opportunity for progress, and the defeat of legalized bigotry.

I have a strong belief that defeating Proposition 8 is good for business and heterosexual marriage. I'm not just saying this because I'm a diversity and inclusion consultant, but I make my claim as a small business owner, and parent of a 16 year old attending high school in California.

I know that the proponents of Prop 8 are digging their heels in with their narrow, short-term view, and will spend millions to appeal the decision. The fortune they'll spend in court could be used to improve education, keep young people out of detention and prison, and fund small businesses that could provide jobs for some of the unemployed.

Since economic pressure is the mitigating factor in so many heterosexual divorces, lowering unemployment and improving education might be able to save some of those marriages. This would help support the institution of heterosexual marriage that might be destroyed when same sex couples recite their wedding vows.

When I think of "gay marriage," I think of all the hotels, restaurants, florists, hairdressers, bridal departments, and event planners that will profit, and even put more people to work. I think of the financial benefits to our cities, every time a couple pays for a marriage license. I think of the increase in tourist dollars when family and friends of these happy gay couples fly into town to attend these nuptials.

I've said it before and I'll repeat myself, I believe that people who support Prop 8 are guilty of financial malfeasance since their proposition would deny our state the financial benefits of same-sex marriage.

Simma Lieberman is the author of Putting Diversity to Work and a member of The Million Dollar Consultant® Hall of Fame. Simma Lieberman Associates works to create workplace cultures where people love to do their best work and customers love to do business. Read the Inclusionist blog. Follow her on twitter: @theinclusionist. Subscribe to her newsletter.