Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/289923 
Year of Publication: 
2023
Series/Report no.: 
IDB Working Paper Series No. IDB-WP-1474
Publisher: 
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Washington, DC
Abstract: 
This paper presents the findings of an artifactual field experiment conducted in urban Ecuador to investigate discrimination against LGBTQ+ (here restricted to individuals self-identified as gay or lesbian) job seekers in the labor market. Focusing on occupations and sectors where LGBTQ + and non-LGBTQ + individuals commonly apply, the study employed fictitious job applications evaluated by 394 human resource analysts. The results indicate that, on average, LGBTQ+ candidates did not face discrimination in terms of hiring recommendations, job fit assessments, or wage offers. However, a closer analysis reveals a gender-based differential treatment. Female LGBTQ+ candidates received positive discrimination, were more likely to be selected and offered higher wages compared to their heterosexual counterparts. In contrast, male LGBTQ+ candidates experienced negative discrimination and no wage differences with a lower likelihood of selection. The study found an influential role of female recruiters in driving these discriminatory behaviors. These findings contribute to our understanding of the complex dynamics of discrimination towards LGBTQ+ workers in the labor market and its interaction with gender.
Subjects: 
Discrimination
LGBTQ+
Employment
Field experiments
JEL: 
J15
J16
C9
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by-nc-nd Logo
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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