The Economic Impact of Discriminatory Policies: Insights from Same-Sex Marriage Bans

Lei Gao, Steve Liu and Ying Wang

AEA Papers and Proceedings, 2025, vol. 115, 509-14

Abstract: This study examines the unintended economic costs, with significant fiscal implications, associated with discriminatory policies, focusing specifically on same-sex marriage bans in the United States. Drawing on a body of empirical studies, we show that these bans increase public financing costs, reduce tax revenue, and lead to unfavorable migration patterns. These findings underscore the interconnectedness of social equity and economic efficiency, emphasizing that discriminatory legislation not only marginalizes vulnerable populations but also undermines broader economic stability. We propose that understanding these interrelations is critical for designing policies that support inclusive growth and fiscal sustainability.

JEL-codes: D63 D72 H24 J12 J16 K38 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.aeaweb.org/doi/10.1257/pandp.20251052 (application/pdf)
https://www.aeaweb.org/articles/materials/23193 (application/zip)
Access to full text is restricted to AEA members and institutional subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aea:apandp:v:115:y:2025:p:509-14

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://www.aeaweb.org/subscribe.html

DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20251052

Access Statistics for this article

AEA Papers and Proceedings is currently edited by William Johnson and Kelly Markel

More articles in AEA Papers and Proceedings from American Economic Association Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Michael P. Albert ().