Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Protected Classes in Real Estate

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision broadening the scope of the term “sex” as used in federal anti-discrimination laws to provide protection for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Following that decision, HUD announced that its offices would interpret, administer and fully enforce the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination because of sexual orientation and gender identity. Based on this interpretation, sexual orientation and gender identity are protected classes under the Fair Housing Act, which applies to the sale or rental of all housing, lending, occupancy rules and advertising, with very limited exceptions. Please read the full update from Desiree Brougher, Esq. of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® by clicking here.