Existing quantitative research on sexual orientation and life satisfaction uses models with control
variables that do not have a clear rationale. With a correct understanding of what control variables
do, no controls are necessary to estimate the consequences of sexual orientation on life satisfaction.
An analysis constructed from this perspective reveals gay and bisexual men in the UK and Australia
are less satisfied with their lives (relative to heterosexual men). Bisexual women in both countries
are less satisfied as well. Lesbians in Australia are less satisfied (relative to straight women) – but
lesbians in the UK do not have lower satisfaction. These conclusions hold also in an analysis that
considers the possibility that some non-heterosexual people might be unwilling to disclose their
sexual orientation on surveys.