NYC says gay marriage has $259M impact in a year

(AP) NEW YORK - Officials estimate gay marriage has had an economic impact of $259 million on New York City in the past year.

The figure was issued Tuesday by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. One year ago, New York became the largest state to legalize gay marriage.

Officials say at least 8,200 same sex marriage licenses have been issued. That accounts for more than 10 percent of the 75,000 marriage licenses issued in the city since July 24, 2011.

The economic estimate came from 1,700 straight and gay couples who were surveyed about wedding expenditures. The city's tourism agency used their responses to estimate the total economic impact per wedding.

The $259 million includes the approximate amount that each wedding guest would spend at the city's restaurants and hotels.