Event Title
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.
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.