Employment discrimination and bias:

Multiple studies find workplace discrimination for those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transger.

From the American Psychological Association:

Evidence indicates that individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) are especially susceptible to being placed at a socioeconomic disadvantage. Thus, socioeconomic status is inherently related to the rights and well-being of LGBT persons.

Differences in Income:

While LGBT persons tend to have more education on average than the general population, evidence suggests that they make less money than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts (Factor and Rothblum, 2007; Fassinger, 2007; Egan, Edelman & Sherrill, 2008). Studies on income differences for LGBT persons indicate that:

• Gay men earn up to 32% less than similarly qualified heterosexual men.
• Up to 64% of transgender people report incomes below $25,000.
• While 5.9% of the general population makes less than $10,000, 14% of LGBT individuals are within this income bracket.

Discrimination due to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification:

Discrimination of LGBT persons in the workplace is a significant factor in the differences in socioeconomic status for LGBT persons. In many cases, discrimination against and unfair treatment of LGBT persons remains legally acceptable (Fassinger, 2007).

• Termination of an employee based on sexual orientation remains legal in 31 American states.
• Termination of an employee based on gender identity remains legal in 39 American states.
• Up to 68% of individuals identifying as LGBT report experiencing employment discrimination.

Source: www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/factsheet-lgbt.aspx

APA research sources available at: www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/factsheet-references.aspx

From the Williams Institute:

In this analysis of bias in the workplace, the Williams Institute concludes:

• LGBT individuals have reported experiences of discrimination based on their own sexual orientation and gender identity, both to researchers and, in some cases, to enforcement agencies charged with investigating claims of discrimination.
• Heterosexual people have reported observing discrimination based on sexual orientation.
• Wages of gay men are lower than wages of heterosexual men with the same personal and job characteristics.
• The best available data suggests that transgender people experience very high unemployment rates and that large percentages have very low incomes.
• Employers, sales clerks and other observers have treated LGB job applicants or customers differently from heterosexuals.

For the complete online report, click here.