Race and the Wage Gap based on Sexual Orientation

Presentation Type

Oral and/or Visual Presentation

Presenter Major(s)

Political Science, Economics

Mentor Information

Brad Sturgill

Department

Economics

Location

Kirkhof Center 2216

Start Date

10-4-2013 12:00 AM

End Date

10-4-2013 12:00 AM

Keywords

Social Science

Abstract

In recent years, debates over same-sex marriage have often overshadowed the economic issues faced by the LGBT community. Despite prevailing stereotypes, many individuals who identify as LGBT live in poverty, which may be attributed to a wage gap based on sexual orientation. Previous research has shown that gay men earn anywhere from 3 to 27% less than similarly-situated heterosexual men, while lesbian women have been found to make more than their heterosexual peers. Recent surveys have found that minorities are slightly more likely to identify as LGBT compared to whites, and previous research only controlled for whether an individual was white. Using data from the American Community Survey, I will conduct a regression analysis to determine if race may be an explanation for the wage gap. Potentially, the findings of the limited prior research may be the result of the influence of race on earnings rather than discrimination based on sexual orientation.

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Apr 10th, 12:00 AM Apr 10th, 12:00 AM

Race and the Wage Gap based on Sexual Orientation

Kirkhof Center 2216

In recent years, debates over same-sex marriage have often overshadowed the economic issues faced by the LGBT community. Despite prevailing stereotypes, many individuals who identify as LGBT live in poverty, which may be attributed to a wage gap based on sexual orientation. Previous research has shown that gay men earn anywhere from 3 to 27% less than similarly-situated heterosexual men, while lesbian women have been found to make more than their heterosexual peers. Recent surveys have found that minorities are slightly more likely to identify as LGBT compared to whites, and previous research only controlled for whether an individual was white. Using data from the American Community Survey, I will conduct a regression analysis to determine if race may be an explanation for the wage gap. Potentially, the findings of the limited prior research may be the result of the influence of race on earnings rather than discrimination based on sexual orientation.