Same Sex Couples Moving to States Where They Can Marry and Get Benefits

By Henni Espinosa, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

June 27, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO – On Wednesday night, it was hard to find a street in the Castro District that wasn’t filled with thousands of people celebrating the Supreme Court decisions upholding gay marriage.

As it is, there are more than 38 million residents in California and that number may surge as the golden state becomes 13th in the nation to recognize same-sex marriage.

Analysts said the judges decisions could influence where gay and lesbian couples live and work in the U.S.

Data from the Williams Institute show that there are about 650,000 same-sex couples living in shared households. The Human Rights Campaign also cited that 30% of Americans are living in states where same-sex marriage is legal.

Married gay and lesbian couples living in states with legalized same-sex marriage are expected to receive federal benefits following the nullifying of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). And this could motivate couples to move.

“States that continue to discriminate, states that continue to be unfair towards gay people, will suffer backlash — not just in terms of economics, but in tourism and how they are perceived,” said Wilson Fang, the 2005 Mr. Gay Asia Pacific.

There are those who said a rise in population in California could actually be good for the state’s economy.

“There’s a lot that goes into weddings. There’s (buying) cakes and planning. People are really supporting of (same-sex marriage) and people will travel to California to go see their friends and family members get married,” pointed out Zarah Patriana, a San Francisco Bay Area resident.

Besides the 13 states where marriage among same-sex couples is legally recognized, there are seven states that offer domestic partnerships or civil union for gays and lesbians. But federal benefits are not given to them.

“People have the right to move where same-sex marriage is allowed. However, I believe that people should have the right to fight for where they live, fight for their home and history and just make it happen nationwide,” concluded Eric Padua, who’s in a long-term relationship.

You may contact Henni Espinosa at henni_espinosa@abs-cbn.com for more information.