LGBTQIA+ Fair Housing Rights

Did you know members of the LBGTQIA+ Community, their families, and allies have fair housing rights?

As of January 2021, housing discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation is illegal in the United States.

Keep reading to learn more about fair housing, protections for the LQBTQIA+ community, examples of discrimination, and how to report it happens to you.

What is Fair Housing?

Fair housing laws protect people from housing discrimination. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of a person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, and disability. This includes renting an apartment, applying for a mortgage, seeking a home insurance policy, getting housing assistance, and other housing-related activities.

LGBTQIA+ Fair Housing Protections

On February 11, 2021, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a memorandum announcing that it will recognize housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as sex discrimination. Prior to this memo, it was federally legal for housing providers and others to discriminate against members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

While federal protections are new, Illinois became the 15th state to cover sexual orientation as a protected class and the 6th to cover gender identity as of January 1, 2006. Under the Illinois Human Rights Act, “sexual orientation” means actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or gender-related identity, whether or not traditionally associated with the person’s designated sex at birth. Both sexual orientation and gender identity are protected by Cook County and the City of Chicago’s fair housing laws. 

Examples of LGBTQIA+ Housing Discrimination

Below are a few examples of housing discrimination. Read more at HUD.gov

  • A housing provider refuses to rent an apartment once learning the applicants are a same-sex couple
  • A realtor refuses to show houses listed for sale to a home shopper because they are transgender.
  • A building manager or maintenance worker refuses to make requested repairs because the renter’s son is gay.

How to Report LGBTQIA+ Housing Discrimination

If you believe you experienced housing discrimination based on your gender identity, sexual orientation, or other protected class, you can contact our office for a fair housing intake. We will listen to and document your story, investigate your claims, and if necessary refer you to file a complaint with HUD or other state or local jurisdiction.

Contact Carrie Simpson, Senior Fair Housing Intake Specialist:
Call (708) 957-4674 ext. 112
Email carrie@southsuburban.net