GAY MARKET HAS MORE MONEY
By Adnews Staff
The U.S. gay and lesbian market had a disposable income of $200 billion last year, and this is expected to increase by 40% by the year 2000, according to a study by U.S.-based Packaged Facts. Gays and lesbians are more likely to have money to spend on non-essential items such as travel, eating out, entertainment, electronics, home furnishings and clothing. Fifty-eight per cent of the gay/lesbian population took a foreign trip last year while only 17% of the overall population did. Eighty-one per cent of gay consumers drink alcohol compared to 65% of the overall population. Seventy-eight per cent of gays went to the movies in the last three months versus 39% of entire population. In 1993, average household income was about 15% higher for gays than for heterosexuals, and they are twice as likely to be self-employed.