Such a drawing card can help make Baltimore the first Rust Belt city to successfully transform into "an inclusive, diverse and creative economy," wrote Zoltan Acs, the University of Baltimore study's author.
It's not that gays and lesbians are more likely to seek high-tech, high-paying jobs than heterosexuals. Rather, intelligent, creative people of any sexual orientation are more likely to feel comfortable in places that foster tolerance. Companies wanting to hire them must find them on their own turf.
It boils down to attracting youth, who of course are tomorrow's work force. With a median age of 37, Maryland's population is older than that of 30 other states, including Virginia, California, Georgia, Utah and Texas. Young people are more likely to pick up stakes for attractive areas. They're also more likely to support gay rights and gay marriage.
