$1,000,000,000,000 of Gay Money and the Ringing of the Bell

from Daily Kos
by Rippe
Wed Jun 28, 2006 at 05:06:50 AM PDT

Just 6 years from now, gay and lesbian buying power in the U.S. will reach $1 trillion -- a 50% increase over today's estimated $641 billion.

But just two days from now -- this Friday -- a national gay support organization will celebrate the GLBT's impact on the economy by ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) makes this historic and symbolic appearance at the NYSE Friday to drive home a point to Corporate America: gays are a vital part of the U.S. economy.

* Rippe's diary :: ::
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To put this in perspective, consider that $641,000,000,000 is:

15 times the FY06 federal budget for the Department of Homeland Security...

$100,000,000,000 more than this year's Department of Defense budget...

8-10 times the federal budget for the Department of Education...

About $140,000,000,000 more than the U.S. will make in Social Security payments this year.

See the budget numbers for yourself here.

Today, my significant other and I will be driving from Madison to Chicago with another gay couple to watch the Milwaukee Brewers (hopefully) beat up on the Chicago Cubs. The tickets were $46 each. The gas will be about $40 each way. I've allocated $100 for souvenirs. The beer and hot dogs and peanuts at the game will exceed $200 between the 4 of us. Happy hour after the game will add $50. Dinner will approach $200.

Four gay guys will spend $1000 today -- on a major league baseball game, for crying out loud!

So..please join me in congratulating PFLAG on Friday's historic event, and in thanking the GLBT community for its contribution to the economy.