A wrap of news, issues and events which may impact or affect the GLBT segment of society.

Scotland: Scotland's government has announced plans to legalize same-sex marriages.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Wednesday that legislation permitting the marriages would soon be introduced.

The measure has backing from the major Scottish political parties. It follows a public consultation on the issue.

When enacted, Scotland could become the first part of the UK to allow same-sex marriages.

The  UK government has conducted a public consultation on legalizing  same-sex marriages, and it has the backing of Prime Minister David  Cameron. But UK officials are waiting for the results of the public  consultation before taking further steps.

http://twincities.com/national/ci_21153407/scottish-government-back-same-sex-marriage

New York City Sees Economic Boon: Gay marriage is generating millions of dollars for New York City's economy.

Since  gay marriage was legalized in New York state a year ago, marriage  license fees, local celebrations and wedding-related purchases have  boosted New York City's economy by $259 million, Mayor Michael Bloomberg  and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn announced Tuesday.

"Marriage  equality has made our City more open, inclusive and free -- and it has  also helped to create jobs and support our economy," Mayor Bloomberg  said in a statement.

More  than 8,200 same-sex marriage licenses have been issued over the past  year, representing more than 10% of the 75,000 licenses issued in the  city, according to a survey conducted by the City Clerk's Office and NYC  & Company, the city's tourism and marketing organization.

The  city collected $16 million in tax revenue from same-sex marriages over  the past year. But weddings brought the biggest economic boost to the  city, with about 67% of same-sex couples who got married in the city  holding wedding receptions at venues like hotels, restaurants and  catering halls throughout New York City's five boroughs.

Same-sex  couples spent an average $9,039 on their weddings, while 31% spent  $10,000 or more -- though that's still not as high as the $27,021 that  the average couple spends on a wedding, according to a national survey  of gay and straight newlyweds from TheKnot.com.

http://money.cnn.com/2012/07/24/pf/gay-marriage-economic-impact/

From  the Cornfield, step-by-step, day-by-day, living life as one's self and  not in a militancy of in-your-face, acceptance, tolerance and equality  will one day come to all people no matter one's sexuality.