With Pride month getting underway in just a few days, the National Association of Realtors has announced a new partnerships with LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance. Aimed at identifying training opportunities that cultivate LGBTQ+ leaders, NAR shared that the partnership will also work to mobilize members in support of mutually beneficial federal policies, among other pro-LGBTQ+ and real estate industry initiatives.
“NAR has long championed LGBTQ+ rights in the housing market, and we’re proud to continue leading today’s industry in the fight against discrimination,” said NAR President Charlie Oppler via press release. “As the nation recognizes Pride Month this June, we’re excited to announce this partnership with The Alliance and begin our work toward initiatives that will provide tremendous benefits to American real estate and our society as a whole.”
The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance was founded in June 2020 and has grown to have chapters throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. The Alliance advocates on behalf of the LBGTQ+ community on a variety of home-related topics. A 501(c)6 non-profit, it also provides its members with a variety of learning and business opportunities.
“Having the leading trade association in the U.S. as a part of the Alliance is a huge step for our members and the entirety of the LGBTQ+ community,” said John Thorpe, the Alliance’s national president and board chairman. “NAR has been at the forefront of removing barriers that members of our community may face in the journey to homeownership, including ensuring the Realtor community refrains from discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.”
NAR amended its Code of Ethics twice, in 2011 and 2014, to ensure Realtors were upholding housing protections for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Recently, the Association worked with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to reform its enforcement of the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.A recent survey of LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance members revealed that more than 1 in 10 experienced discrimination from a real estate professional in the buying process.