Employment Discrimination Against LGBT Utahns

Abstract

This report gathers together all existing data on the prevalence of discrimination in Utah to examine how frequently lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Utahns experience employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and assess the likely impact of passing a statewide nondiscrimination law. Part I begins by analyzing the data collected through a 2010 survey conducted by Equality Utah, which is the state’s first survey on discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment. The data show that employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is a pervasive and persistent problem in Utah, as it is in other states. Forty-three percent of the LGB respondents and 67% of the transgender respondents reported that they have experienced discrimination in employment. Part II shows that the results of the 2010 survey are consistent with data gathered from national surveys, U.S. Census data, and reports from state agencies. National surveys indicate that large percentages of LGBT people report discrimination and harassment in the workplace. U.S. Census data show that in Utah, as in many other states, men in same-sex couples earn nearly one-fifth less than men in different-sex marriages, even though men in same-sex couples are more likely to have a college degree. Reports from state agencies indicate that discrimination against LGBT employees occurs as often as discrimination against female employees, and discrimination against transgender employees is even more prevalent. Part III reviews the available data on the passage of statewide nondiscrimination laws in other jurisdictions, in order to demonstrate that passing such a law would have a beneficial impact on Utah employees and employers, without imposing any significant burdens or costs on the state’s enforcement agencies.

Keywords: employment, discrimination, LGBT, empirical