THE EFFECTS OF STATE AND LOCAL ANTIDISCRIMINATION POLICIES ON EARNINGS FOR GAYS AND LESBIANS

In the last 25 years, many cities and counties, as well as a few state s, have adopted policies that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in private or public employment. These policies may increa se earnings for gays and lesbians by decreasing discrimination in hiri ng, firing, promotion, or pay. This study uses data from the 1990 U.S. census to estimate the effects of these policies on individual earnin gs and household income. The results suggest that the policies have be en adopted in places with higher earnings and that same-sex couples ar e more likely to live in areas that have adopted policies. However aft er controlling for individual and location characteristics, the result s show no evidence of a direct effect of antidiscrimination policies o n average earnings or income for members of same-sex couples. Antidisc rimination policies may be more important both for a small number of i ndividuals and as symbols of full citizenship and legitimacy for gays and lesbians.