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Sexual orientation stereotypes and job candidate screening: why gay is (mostly) OK

Author

Listed:
  • Philippe Sterkens

    (Ghent University)

  • Axana Dalle

    (Ghent University)

  • Joey Wuyts

    (Ghent University)

  • Ines Pauwels

    (Ghent University)

  • Hellen Durinck

    (Ghent University)

  • Stijn Baert

    (Ghent University
    University of Antwerp
    Université Catholique de Louvain
    Institute for Labor Economics)

Abstract

To explain the conflicting findings on hiring discrimination against applicants in a same-sex marriage, we explore the perceptual drivers behind employers’ evaluations. Therefore, we conduct a vignette experiment among recruiters, for which we test systematically selected stereotypes from earlier studies. We find causal evidence for distinct effects of same-sex marriage on candidate perceptions and interview probabilities. In particular, interview probabilities are positively (negatively) associated with the stereotype of women (men) married to a same-sex partner as being more (less) pleasant to work with compared to candidates in a different-sex marriage. In addition, interview chances are negatively associated with the stereotype of candidates in a same-sex marriage as being more outspoken. Furthermore, our data align well with the idea of a concentrated discrimination account, whereby a minority of employers who hold negative attitudes towards individuals in same-sex marriages are responsible for most instances of hiring discrimination.

Suggested Citation

  • Philippe Sterkens & Axana Dalle & Joey Wuyts & Ines Pauwels & Hellen Durinck & Stijn Baert, 2025. "Sexual orientation stereotypes and job candidate screening: why gay is (mostly) OK," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 38(1), pages 1-40, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jopoec:v:38:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s00148-025-01071-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s00148-025-01071-w
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sexual orientation; Signalling theory; Statistical discrimination; Taste-based discrimination; Hiring experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C38 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Classification Methdos; Cluster Analysis; Principal Components; Factor Analysis
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing

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