The sexual orientation wage gap in the USA

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the nature of the wage gap between genders and sexual orientation. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses OLS on pooled repeated cross-sections. Findings The differences in wages between gay/straight men and women mirror what would be expected from labor force attachment more so than direct heterosexism. Research limitations/implications The authors use a functional definition of sexual preference that reflects whether the respondent had sex with someone of the same gender in the same year. It does not ask whether the person identifies publicly as gay/lesbian/bisexual. Originality/value The authors verify and extend earlier findings on the sexual orientation and gendered wage gap.