Institutions, Attitudes and LGBT : Evidence from the Gold Rush / Abel Brodeur.
This paper analyzes the determinants behind the spatial distribution of the LGBT population in the U.S. We relate the size of the present-day LGBT population to the discovery of gold mines during the 19th century gold rushes. Comparing the surroundings of these gold mines to other current and former mining counties, we find that there are currently 10-15% more same-sex couples in counties in which gold discoveries were made during the gold rushes. We also provide empirical evidence that residents of gold rush counties still have more favorable attitudes toward homosexuality nowadays. Our findings are consistent with two mechanisms. First, gold rushes led to a large (temporary) increase in the male-tofemale ratio. Second, we show that gold rush counties were less likely to house a notable place of worship at the time of the discovery (and in the following decades) and are currently less religious, suggesting a role of institutions in shaping attitudes and norms.
Record details
- Physical Description: 1 online resource (71 pages).
- Publisher: Ottawa, ON, CA: Department of Economics Faculty of Social Sciences University of Ottawa, 2018.
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General Note: | CatMonthString:january.23 Issued as part of the desLibris documents collection. Multi-User. |
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Type of Computer File or Data Note: | Electronic monograph in PDF format. Text (HTML), electronic book. |
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Issuing Body Note: | Made available online by Canada Commons. |
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Subject: | Coefficient of determination Errors and residuals Homosexuality Logarithm Median Probit model Regression analysis Standard deviation Standard error Statistics |
Genre: | Electronic books |