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Cultural foundations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights

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  • Davis, Lewis

Abstract

I forward and empirically support a cultural theory of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. Individualism supports values of personal autonomy, the right to a private life, and acceptance of non-conforming behavior. In keeping with these values, I propose that individualism reduces homophobia and increases LGBT rights. I document a strong, negative relationship between individualism and homophobia using individual-level data from the Integrated Values Survey. At the country level, I document a strong, positive relationship between individualism and a broad index of LGBT rights. In the baseline model, a one-standard deviation increase in individualism is associated with three-quarters of a standard deviation increase in the LGBT rights index. This relationship is robust to a wide variety of controls related to other dimensions of culture, women’s empowerment, and national institutions. The relationship between individualism and LGBT rights is stronger in common law countries. I use climatic and linguistic instruments to address concerns regarding the endogeneity and measurement of individualism. This study identifies LGBT rights as part of a nexus of individual rights supported by Enlightenment values.

Suggested Citation

  • Davis, Lewis, 2025. "Cultural foundations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 237(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:237:y:2025:i:c:s0167268125003026
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2025.107183
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    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • K38 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Human Rights Law; Gender Law; Animal Rights Law
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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