Data and discrimination: A research note on sexual orientation in the Canadian labour market

Authors

  • Nicole Denier Colby College
  • Sean Waite Memorial University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25336/P6XP4S

Keywords:

sexual orientation, same-sex couples, discrimination, earnings, Census, Canada

Abstract

Growing interest in the labour market outcomes of sexual minorities presents novel methodological and theoretical challenges. In this note, we outline important challenges in the study of wage inequality between sexual minorities and heterosexuals in Canada. We discuss the current state of available data on sexual orientation and economic outcomes in Canada, and further evaluate how estimates of sexual orientation wage gaps differ across earnings definition and sample composition. Our analysis of the 2006 Census shows considerable heterogeneity in point estimates of wage disadvantage across definitions of earnings and sample selections; however, all estimates show that gay men suffer labour market penalties and lesbians experience wage premiums.

L’intérêt grandissant pour la situation des minorités sexuelles sur marché du travail soulève de nouveaux enjeux méthodologiques et théoriques. Dans ce commentaire, nous soulignons les enjeux importants que présente l’étude des inégalités salariales entre minorités sexuelles et hétérosexuels au Canada. Nous discutons de la disponibilité actuelle de données sur l’orientation sexuelle et le revenu au Canada et évaluons la manière selon laquelle les écarts salariaux varient en fonction de la définition de revenu et la composition de l’échantillon. Notre analyse du recensement de 2006 indique une hétérogénéité considérable des estimations ponctuelles de l’écart salarial à travers différentes définitions de revenu et différentes sélections d’échantillon. Cependant, toutes les estimations indiquent que les hommes gays sont désavantagés sur le marché du travail et que les lesbiennes obtiennent des salaires supérieurs.

Author Biography

Nicole Denier, Colby College

Corresponding author: Nicole Denier, Colby College, 4000 Mayflower Hill Dr., Waterville, ME, USA 04901; email: nicole.denier@colby.edu
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Published

2017-01-17

Issue

Vol. 43 No. 3-4 (2016): Fall/Winter

Section

Research Note

License

Copyright (c) 2019 Nicole Denier, Sean Waite

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