It may surprise you to know that lesbians in general earn more than straight women. Yes it has been researched, check it here.
https://www.freakonomics.com/2010/12/17/the-truth-about-gay-and-lesbian-income/
And this goes for all lesbians no matter how poor or well off your family background. Of course it doesn’t mean that all lesbians are rich. But the chances are that you will be earning more than the straight girls you went to school with.
Nobody knows why this is the case, but there are different theories about it. These include that teenage girls growing up knowing they were lesbian, are less likely to fantasise about having a partner who will be the main breadwinner and “look after them”. They know they will have to earn their own living. And so this encourages young lesbians to work harder at school and get established in the job market.
Another theory is that lesbians are less likely to have children. Until very recently, lesbians having children, unless they had already been married to a male partner, were pretty rare. We all know women who take time out of the workplace to have children suffer career wise for this. So the less lesbians have children, the less likely they are to suffer career wise.
A third theory is that lesbians are more likely to prioritise their own education. It is still common if straight couples don’t have much money for the family to support the man to increase his level of education e.g. go back to college. My brother and sister-in-law did this and I see other straight couples doing this as well. Of course in lesbian couples there is no man to prioritise. And so amongst the lesbian couples I know, it is far more common to take turns in terms of supporting each other to improve a partner’s level of education. And although it is not automatic, an improved education does increase your chances of earning more.
And lastly, as the research shows, lesbians are more likely to choose work in traditionally male dominated careers. These tend to be better paid than female dominated industries. Perhaps lesbians by already defying what is expected of women, are more willing to defy expectations when it comes to career choices as well.
Personally, I think it is probably a combination of all these factors. So remember next time you are grumbling about your wage packet, the chances are that you are earning more than your straight counterparts.
itsgreatbeingalesbian 