The headlines captured our attention because of the historic, societal implications. Gay couples may be legally marrying in Florida in 2015. It seems likely that Florida will follow a legal trend that now includes 35 states plus Washington, D.C.
After the 11th U.S. Circuit Court in Atlanta ruled that a stay in this state’s gay-marriage ban case will be lifted early in January, the die appears cast. Even if Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office is still “reviewing the ruling,” as we speak.
Increasingly, it’s looking like U.S. Judge Robert Hinkle of Tallahassee–the jurist who tossed out the (2008) gay-marriage ban in Florida’s constitution with rhetorical gusto (“an obvious pretext for discrimination”)–will be historically credited–if not lionized. Maybe future gay couples will get “Hinkled” as well as “hitched.”
Judge Hinkle merely cited the obvious: Voters are not always on the side of what’s right. If it’s a candidate, recall or don’t re-elect. If it’s an issue–think “separate but equal”–there’s obvious redress. The redress rehearsal is well under way.
But as telling as a lifted stay is, there was a related, manifest sign of the times–although less noble–a couple of days later. If the gay-marriage ban falls in Florida in a few weeks, there are those in the Sunshine State who want to be able to take advantage of it in the old-fashioned way: Capitalize on it.
Visit Tampa Bay has “To Have and To Hold” ads primed and ready to woo gay couples. Hillsborough County’s tourism branch has matrimony-specific print ads that will target the Northeast, the Middle Atlantic, Ohio and Texas, as well as digital ads in Chicago and Dallas.
VTB already partners with Visit Florida to promote the state as a destination for same-sex couples. Weddings and honeymoons would be a natural extension.
If the gay-marriage ban is lifted Jan. 5, a 9-figure economic impact–spending plus jobs–is estimated to result locally.
“I think it’s an extraordinarily important market,” says Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, who is openly gay. “As we have started changing our policies, we can certainly benefit economically.”
Call it a perfect societal storm. Changing culture and evolving laws meet economic opportunity. Also call it reality.