State-level contexts and sexual minority occupational segregation in the United States: Assessing legal protections and public attitudes

Abstract

Using data from the 2015–2019 American Community Survey, this study examines occupational segregation—specifically intergroup differences in occupation-level gender composition, earnings, and prestige—between heterosexual and sexual minority workers in the United States, focusing on workers in same-sex marriages (SSM) compared to those in different-sex marriages (DSM). The study also investigates the role of state-level contexts, such as anti-discrimination laws and public attitudes toward homosexuality, in moderating occupational segregation. Findings indicate significant patterns of segregation: SSM men are more likely to work in female-dominated, lower-paying, lower-prestige occupations, while SSM women tend to work in male-dominated, higher-paying, lower-prestige occupations compared to their heterosexual counterparts. State-level legal protections and supportive cultural attitudes toward sexual minorities are associated with reduced segregation, particularly in gender composition and prestige for both men and women. This research contributes to understanding the occupational experiences of sexual minorities and underscores the importance of legal and cultural factors in shaping their career outcomes.