Attributing discrimination to one’s socioeconomic position was also related to higher depressive symptoms and anxiety scores (Gamarel, Reisner, Parsons, & Golub, 2012). Evidence has shown that gay and bisexual men who earned higher incomes were significantly less likely to report discrimination compared to those of lower socioeconomic position. Discrimination Due to Sexual Orientation and Gender IdentityĪn individual’s socioeconomic position may also be related to experiences of discrimination. Poverty rates would be projected to fall for the most vulnerable individuals in same-sex/gender couples, including African-Americans, couples with children, people with disabilities, individuals under 24 years of age, people without high school diplomas or the equivalent, and those living in rural areas (Badgett & Schneebaum, 2014). Research has shown that an increase in the minimum wage would reduce the poverty rate by 25 percent for same-sex/gender female couples and 30 percent for same-sex/gender male couples. Raising the federal minimum wage would benefit LGBT individuals and couples in the United States.
Thus, SES is inherently related to the rights, quality of life and general well-being of LGBT persons. Evidence indicates individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT) are especially susceptible to socioeconomic disadvantages.