Do gays and lesbians experience more frequent and longer unemployment?

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to compare the probability of unemployment and duration of joblessness between partnered gays, lesbians and their straight peers in the EU. Design/methodology/approach. Existence of potential differences in the outcomes is tested by multilevel logistic regression model (probability of unemployment) and multilevel linear regression model (length of joblessness) using the EU Labour Force Survey data from 2008 to 2015. Findings. Gays have been found to have a significantly higher unemployment probability and (weakly significantly) a longer duration of joblessness than comparable straight men. No significant difference was identified in unemployment probabilities of lesbians and heterosexual women but the joblessness duration appears to be significantly shorter in lesbians. Originality/value. Previous research indicated that lesbians and gays face barriers in access to employment. To author’s knowledge this is the first study which investigates whether gay people experience prolonged joblessness.