Florida Agenda

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Advocates say that a recent decision under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) will, effectively and literally, open doors for the LGBT homeless to shelter facilities that receive federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding. The ruling under the “Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs – Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity” measure means shelters that receive federal funding must begin to accept LGBT individuals, or face the threat of legal consequences.

LGBT rights groups say that a subtle discriminatory practice will now be more difficult to maintain or justify. They say that in many facilities across the country, an individual’s sexual orientation often factors into the decision by administrators to extend shelter.

And in the case of transgender residents, there is the additional challenge of placing them based upon their pre-operative/nonoperative status, which has resulted in numerous complaints, nationwide. Another recent landmark ruling by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) extended employment opportunities and protections to trans-identified individuals, with their addition to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The decision will, in practice, open employment doors to trans-identified individuals who are homeless, and who receive wraparound services in transitional and supported-housing situations.

WASHINGTON, DC – The Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) has launched a new media campaign, “Live Free,” that will, among other things, strive to ensure people have equal access to housing regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

“While 20 states and over 200 local governments have led the way to make LGBT-related housing discrimination illegal, HUD is firmly committed to supporting the right of LGBT individuals and families to lead productive and dignified lives, free from housing discrimination and fear of retaliation,” said John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD is finalizing a federal rule to ensure that HUD housing and programs are open to all, irrespective of marital status, gender identity and sexual orientation.”

The “Live Free” print advertisements are focused to particular targeted audiences.

For example, one print ad reads “Should Gender Stereotypes Influence Where Your Live? Learn More.” The “Live Free” campaign will run throughout the year and include Facebook ads, targeted print ads, digital videos, and podcasts.

In 2010, HUD provided guidance to its staff on how to more effectively address inquiries from LGBT individuals regarding housing discrimination issues, and also launched a webpage for the public on LGBT housing discrimination. Since then, HUD’s housing discrimination complaint level from LGBT individuals has increased significantly. From July 1, 2010, to February 28, 2011, LGBT individuals filed 47 complaints of housing discrimination with HUD alleging gender discrimination. During the same period straddling 2009 and 2010, prior to the issuance of the guidance, HUD only.