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Sexual Orientation, Sexual History, and Inequality in the United States

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  • Christina Curley

Abstract

Much of the literature on sexual orientation discrimination reports earnings differentials for gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals when compared with heterosexuals. The General Social Survey (GSS) has previously been used due to its extensive coverage of demographic variables and sexual behavior in the United States. This study uses updated GSS data to investigate whether the income differentials found in earlier work have persisted and how estimates based on categorizing respondents according to the reported sex of their sex partners compare to estimates based on the respondents’ self-reported sexual orientation. Results for the years 2008–14 indicate that self-identification as an LGB individual and/or same-sex sexual behavior are correlated with a lower income; however, not all the results are statistically significant. In addition, there is a statistically significant negative income differential of 32 percent for men who report having had a same-sex partner at some point, but identify as straight/heterosexual.

Suggested Citation

  • Christina Curley, 2018. "Sexual Orientation, Sexual History, and Inequality in the United States," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(1), pages 88-113, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:femeco:v:24:y:2018:i:1:p:88-113
    DOI: 10.1080/13545701.2017.1388531
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carpenter, Christopher S., 2007. "Revisiting the income penalty for behaviorally gay men: Evidence from NHANES III," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 14(1), pages 25-34, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Coral Río & Olga Alonso-Villar, 2019. "Occupational segregation by sexual orientation in the U.S.: exploring its economic effects on same-sex couples," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 439-467, June.

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