David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) recently applauded the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) announcement that it will enforce the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. HUD's move, based on the Supreme Court's reasoning from last June's Bostock decision, effectively expands civil rights protections to LGBTQ Americans seeking housing and housing-related services. The decision follows an executive order from the Biden administration directing federal agencies to implement the Supreme Court's interpretation in all federal civil rights activities.   "NAR has long championed LGBTQ rights in the housing market, first calling for expanded protections in 2011," said NAR President Charlie Oppler. "There are few greater human needs than housing, and to exclude LGBTQ individuals from the protections afforded to other Americans is cruel. This...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Commentary by Jeff Berger, Founder, National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP) You don't need me to tell you we are living in a polarized country. While we are obviously in a Red vs. Blue world, I view things from a different perspective: through the lens of the LGBT rainbow. From that perspective, it is clear that the LGBT community is facing more challenges than in recent years. You've heard about all of the cases, from the baker to the florist and the Supreme Court due to rule if LGBTs can be fired for simply being who they are. We are not alone. It is fair to say that all diversity groups are being negatively impacted today—but, when it comes to the housing industry, we are seeing a completely different approach. We are benefitting from a consistent push from so many angles, including the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the National Associati...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Bill now moves to the Senate and would make discrimination against LGBT community illegal in numerous facets of life including housing The National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP) joins the real estate industry in celebrating the May 17 historic passing of the Equality Act in the House of Representatives. The bill would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, credit, the jury system and housing. Previous versions of the Equality Act, introduced in 1974, 2015 and 2017, never reached the floor for a vote. "This is a monumental step for the LGBT community in our continued fight for equality," said Jeff Berger, founder of NAGLREP. "NAGLREP and our Policy Committee worked very closely with Congressman David Cicilline (D-R.I.), who spons...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com When it comes to homeownership, discrimination fears are impeding LGBT renters, who are concerned about navigating the process, and how their neighborhood would receive them, new research reveals. According to the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals 3rd Annual LGBT Real Estate Report—in collaboration with Freddie Mac—discrimination is a fear for 46 percent of LGBT renters. Although the Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS® bans discrimination due to sexual orientation and/or gender identity, federal law has yet to mandate those protections, and there are concerns about current policy. “Fifty-eight percent of our members believe the current White House administration’s policies on LGBT issues are having a negative impact on the community’s confidence to buy or sell a home,” says Jeff Berger, founder of NAGLREP. For home-buying LGBTs, common concerns include “how welcoming community a...