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Social Movements and Challenges to Workplace Discrimination

Sun, August 17, 12:30 to 1:30pm, TBA

Abstract

As gay and lesbian social movements have mobilized for workplace protections, gay and lesbian workers are covered under employment non-discrimination laws in an increasing number of states. In lieu of federal legislation, some 40% of the workforce is protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation under state law, making it the main legal tool available to combat discrimination. Using 12 years of state-level data, we examine the macro-level determinants of claims-filing, and particularly the role of social movements in this process.
Results from a fixed-effects analysis of claims-filing suggest that social movements are impactful, although their influence is uneven as they do not always seek legal mobilization as a means of addressing workplace inequities. This study advances prior research on workplace discrimination and claims-filing, which has ignored any activist influence, and supports a multi-institutional approach to the study of social movements. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for workplace discrimination policy, and gay and lesbian social movements in particular.

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