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The silent treatment: discrimination against same-sex relations in the sharing economy

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  • Rishi Ahuja
  • Ronan C Lyons

Abstract

While online marketplaces in the sharing economy reduce anonymity to build trust, such design choices can facilitate discrimination. This study is one of the first to examine whether there is discrimination against those in same-sex relationships (SSRs) in the sharing economy. We examine whether SSRs face discrimination on the Airbnb platform in Dublin, Ireland, through a field experiment. We find that guests in male SSRs are 20–30 percentage points less likely to be accepted than otherwise identical guests in opposite-sex relationships (OSRs) and in female SSRs. This difference is driven by non-responses from hosts, not outright rejection, and persists regardless of a variety of host and location characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Rishi Ahuja & Ronan C Lyons, 2019. "The silent treatment: discrimination against same-sex relations in the sharing economy," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 71(3), pages 564-576.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:oxecpp:v:71:y:2019:i:3:p:564-576.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/oep/gpz025
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. David Boto-García & Veronica Leoni, 2023. "The Economic Value of Coastal Amenities: Evidence from Beach Capitalization Effects in Peer-to-Peer Markets," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 84(2), pages 529-557, February.
    2. Abbate, Nicolás & Berniell, Inés & Coleff, Joaquín & Laguinge, Luis & Machelett, Margarita & Marchionni, Mariana & Pedrazzi, Julián & Pinto, María Florencia, 2024. "Discrimination against gay and transgender people in Latin America: A correspondence study in the rental housing market," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    3. Samuel Mann & Nigel O’Leary & David Blackaby, 2022. "Sexual orientation, political trust, and same-sex relationship recognition policies: evidence from Europe," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 192(3), pages 331-355, September.
    4. Olga Abramova, 2022. "No matter what the name, we’re all the same? Examining ethnic online discrimination in ridesharing marketplaces," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(3), pages 1419-1446, September.
    5. Gouveia, Filipe & Nilsson, Therese & Berggren, Niclas, 2020. "Religiosity and discrimination against same-sex couples: The case of Portugal's rental market," Journal of Housing Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism
    • Z30 - Other Special Topics - - Tourism Economics - - - General

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