THE EFFECTS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION ON HIRABILITY RATINGS: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Despite its rising importance, empirical research about sexual ori-
entation in the workplace is still scarce. This experimental study examined if

gay candidates, with the same work-related qualities as heterosexual candi-
dates, would be judged less favorably in a personnel selection context. Written

candidate profiles were varied in a 3 × 3 between-subjects factorial design, with
candidate quality and sexual orientation as experimental variables. Our results
indicated that the hirability ratings of 135 selection professionals were based on
candidate quality and that no discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation
occurred. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are
discussed.