The Williams Institute

This study analyzes discrimination complaints filed with administrative agencies in those states that prohibit sexual orientation discrimination.  Using population adjusted rates, it finds similar rates of discrimination in the public and private sector; and based on sexual orientation, race, and gender. Overall, the study finds that sexual orientation complaint filings are slightly lower, but similar, for employees in the public sector when compared to the private sector. The filing rate for state and local employees is 3 for every 10,000 LGB employees compared to 4 for every 10,000 LGB employees in the private sector. Currently, there are not enough data to do a similar analysis of gender identity discrimination complaints and federal employees are not covered by these state anti-discrimination statutes.