Tolerance and HIV

Francis-Tan, Andrew; Mialon, Hugo M.

doi:10.2139/ssrn.1091788

Tolerance and HIV

Emory Law and Economics Research Paper No. 08-37

42 Pages Posted: 10 Feb 2008 Last revised: 29 May 2012

See all articles by Andrew Francis-Tan

Andrew Francis-Tan

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

Hugo M. Mialon

Emory University - Department of Economics

Date Written: September 3, 2009

Abstract

We empirically investigate the effect of tolerance for gays on the spread of HIV in the United States. Using a state-level panel dataset spanning the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s, we find that tolerance is negatively associated with the HIV rate. We then investigate the causal mechanisms potentially underlying this relationship. We find evidence consistent with the theory that tolerance for homosexuals causes low-risk men to enter the pool of homosexual partners, as well as causes sexually active men to substitute away from underground, anonymous, and risky behaviors, both of which lower the HIV rate.

Keywords: HIV, risky sex, tolerance, gay marriage bans

JEL Classification: I18, K10, J15, D0

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Francis-Tan, Andrew and Mialon, Hugo M., Tolerance and HIV (September 3, 2009). Emory Law and Economics Research Paper No. 08-37. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1091788 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1091788