She specializes in demography, social inequality, and the sociology of law. Prior to obtaining her Ph.D. in sociology at Texas A&M University, she earned a J.D. from the University of Texas and practiced labor and employment law. Her current research explores issues involving the demography of sexual orientation, labor demography, and gender inequality in the legal practice. In these areas, she has published a variety of books, articles, and book chapters examining issues of inequality and discrimination, as well as the manner in which the law might be activated as a means to challenge existing inequalities. She recently completed a coauthored book, The Demography of Sexual Orientation, which draws on 2000 U.S. Census data to examine the manner in which sexual orientation affects a variety of demographic processes.