With Pride month underway, we are celebrating inclusion and diversity in our industry.
The real estate industry has always been a bastion of diversity and inclusion. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is the largest professional association in North America with more than 1 million members, but it’s also one that takes pride in being inclusive and welcoming to all.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has a long-standing commitment to equal housing opportunities. The association’s Equal Housing Opportunity Policy prohibits discrimination in the sale and rental of property, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
The prevention of housing discrimination has come a long way, but it still has far to go. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, sex, familial status and disabilities.
In recent years, there has been a movement to promote inclusion and diversity in the real estate industry. This movement was initiated by several advocacy groups that work toward equal opportunity for all people in housing.
The LGBTQ+ community is one of the largest minority groups in America. According to Gallup, 3.7% of adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. That’s an estimated 10 million adults in the U.S. alone! Yet discrimination is a major reason why LGBTQ+ homeownership rates are at 49 percent compared to the national average of 65 percent. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2015 that struck down all state bans on same-sex marriage, many LGBTQ+ singles and couples and those with children continue to fear discrimination (73%). Meanwhile, many states have stepped in with laws to prohibit housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
The LGBTQ community historically have always been subject to housing discrimination that hindered them from achieving their goal of becoming proud homeowners. But with changes in state laws, the passage of the federal FAIR Act in 2013, and growing support from national organizations such as the National Association of Realtors, the real estate industry is taking a stand against unjust discrimination and helping the LGBTQ community fight for a stable place to live.
As a company built by and for the LGBTQ community, we at The dsmSOLD Team supports full equality for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity through education and outreach programs that encourage real estate professionals to welcome all homebuyers and home sellers alike.
The dsmSOLD Team the LGBTQ+ community in celebrating June Pride Month and pledges its continuing support to help end housing discrimination in all its forms.
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