WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Post reports that the legalization of same sex marriage in the nation’s capital has been a boom for local businesses. Same sex marriage has been permitted in the District since March, 2010. It is estimated that service businesses sales with relation to weddings are up 40% over previous years since the city held their first gay and lesbian wedding expo in May 2010.

“There seems to be some windfall for our small businesses engaged in the event and wedding industry,” said Jeffrey D. Richardson, director of the D.C. Mayor’s Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs. “There is potential for a real long-term economic impact.”