M.V. Lee Badgett, economics professor and director of the Center for Public Policy and Administration, weighs in on the debate about same-sex marriage in an online debate on the issue in The Economist magazine. Badgett says, based on her research, that same-sex couples share the basic human right to marry. She concludes, “Overall, the evidence suggests that letting same-sex couples marry would be a good thing for all concerned, straight or gay. Expanding access to the institution creates these gains; no change in the rules and expectations for married couples is required or sought. Gay couples’ interest in marriage is a vote in favour of the continuing relevance of marriage in today’s world, a change that should strengthen, not weaken, the institution.” (The Economist, 1/6/11)