The Economics of Being LGBT. A Review: 2015-2020

Nick Drydakis

No 14845, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This paper reviews studies on LGBT workplace outcomes published between 2015 and 2020. In terms of earnings differences, in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia, gay men were found to experience earnings penalties of 7% in comparison to heterosexual men, bisexual men experienced earnings penalties of 9% in comparison to heterosexual men, and bisexual women faced earnings penalties of 5% in comparison to heterosexual women. In the same regions, lesbian women experienced an earnings premium of 7% in comparison to heterosexual women. Trans women, in the US and Europe, faced earnings penalties ranging from 4% to 20%. In terms of job satisfaction, in the US, Canada, and Europe, gay men, and lesbian women experienced 15% and 12%, respectively lower job satisfaction than their heterosexual counterparts. Additionally, bullying against sexual minorities has persisted. In the UK, sexual minorities who experienced frequent school-age bullying faced a 32% chance of experiencing frequent workplace bullying. In relation to job exclusions, in OECD countries, gay men and lesbian women were found to experience 39% and 32%, respectively lower access to occupations than comparable heterosexual men and women. For trans men and women in Europe, comparable patterns are in evidence. Given these patterns, it is not of surprise that LGBT people in the US and the UK experience higher poverty rates than heterosexual and cis people. However, in these two regions, anti-discrimination laws and positive actions in the workplace helped reduce the earnings penalties for gay men, enhance trans people's self-esteem, spur innovation and firms' performance, and boost marketing capability, corporate profiles, and customer satisfaction. The evidence indicated that LGBT inclusion and positive economic outcomes mutually reinforced each other.

Keywords: bullying; sexual orientation; gender identity; discrimination; earnings; poverty; job satisfaction; inclusivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C93 E24 J15 J16 J71 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 28 pages
Date: 2021-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eur, nep-lab and nep-mac
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published - published in: Julie. A. Gedro and Tonette. S. Rocco (eds), The Routledge Handbook of LGBTQ Identity in Organizations and Society, London: Routledge, 2024

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Working Paper: The Economics of Being LGBT. A Review: 2015-2020 (2021)
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