Institutions, Attitudes and LGBT: Evidence from the Gold Rush

Abel Brodeur and Joanne Haddad ()
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Joanne Haddad: University of Ottawa

No 11957, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This paper analyzes the determinants behind the spatial distribution of the LGBT population in the U.S. We relate the size of the present-day LGBT population to the discovery of gold mines during the 19th century gold rushes. Comparing the surroundings of these gold mines to other current and former mining counties, we find that there are currently 10-15% more same-sex couples in counties in which gold discoveries were made during the gold rushes. We also provide empirical evidence that residents of gold rush counties still have more favorable attitudes toward homosexuality nowadays. Our findings are consistent with two mechanisms. First, gold rushes led to a large (temporary) increase in the male-to-female ratio. Second, we show that gold rush counties were less likely to house a notable place of worship at the time of the discovery (and in the following decades) and are currently less religious, suggesting a role of institutions in shaping attitudes and norms.

Keywords: persistence; LGBT; attitudes; religion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J10 O13 O18 R23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 74 pages
Date: 2018-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-his and nep-lab
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (17)

Published - published in: Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2021, 187, 92-110

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Related works:
Journal Article: Institutions, attitudes and LGBT: Evidence from the gold rush (2021)
Working Paper: Institutions, Attitudes and LGBT: Evidence from the Gold Rush (2018)
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