Lesbian Finds Gay Men Are Underpaid

Lee Badgett, director of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst’s Center for Public Policy and Administration

Bloomberg news reports that economist Lee Badgett, who wed Elizabeth Silver when same-sex marriage was recognized by the government of Massachusetts, has completed research that shows that gay and bisexual male workers make between 11 percent and 27 percent less than heterosexual men with similar experience, education and region of residence.

I find this very hard to believe. Are there really that many firms that would refuse to bid up wages from a 27 percent discount? This really doesn't pass the smell test. I am even suspicious of her source of data. According to Bloomberg, Badgett used the National Opinion Research Center’s General Social Survey.

Did she use this source of data only because it was convenient? She herself admits, there really is a lack of data:

Though a lack of statistics on gays remains a challenge, Badgett said academics and society have become more attentive to sexual-minority issues and recognize the need for further research. 

Let's hope someone digs through her data and research to fill us in the quality of her research.

The usual politically correct opportunists are jumping all over her research to promote even more government intervention in the economy. Bloomberg writes:

 The World Bank is collaborating with Badgett to analyze homophobia as a hurdle to development in emerging markets. She’s been called as an expert witness before Congressional subcommittees and in a court case that found California’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional...This week, Badgett’s work for the institute was widely cited by national and international news outlets after the White House said President Barack Obama plans to issue an executive order that would bar federal contractors from discriminating against gay and transgendered employees.

 -RW