Discrimination versus specialization: a survey of economic studies on sexual orientation, gender and earnings in the United States.
Several studies examine the link between sexual orientation and earnings using large data sets that distinguish sexual orientation through questions about sexual behavior and/or by allowing respondents to self-identify as part of a same-sex cohabitating couple. After controlling for other earnings-related characteristics these studies generally show an earnings penalty for gay/bisexual men relative to heterosexual men and an earnings premium for lesbian/bisexual women relative to heterosexual women. Explanations for this gender disparity include gender differences in sexual orientation discrimination, greater labor force attachment for lesbian/bisexual women, and the effects of the overall gender earnings gap.
Schmitt
Elizabeth Dunne
ED
State University of New York at Oswego, Oswego, NY 13126, USA. edunne@oswego.edu
D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011287:Prejudice; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D017406:Sexual Harassment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019529:Sexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012938:Social Perception; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data