Jupiter, Fla. ( March 16, 2017 ) — The National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals ( NAGLREP ) has endorsed two separate Congressional bills which will positively impact the lives of the LGBT community and outlaw housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
United States Congressmen David Cicilline ( D-RI ), co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, and Scott Taylor ( R-VA ) are working on behalf of the LGBT community and spoke at the first NAGLREP Housing Policy Summit on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
Taylor, who met NAGLREP Policy Summit attendees on Capitol Hill, submitted his bill on March 9 ( House Resolution 1447 ) which would "extend protections of the Fair Housing Act to persons suffering discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity."
Cicilline spoke of his bill when he delivered the event's keynote address at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters. He detailed he will soon re-introduce the Equality Act to prohibit discrimination against the LGBT community in public accommodations, housing, employment, federal funding, education, credit, and jury service.
"It was a monumental day in the 10-year history of NAGLREP to have such critical discussions with two esteemed members of Congress," said John Graff, Chair of the NAGLREP Policy Committee and Realtor® with the John Graff Group in Los Angeles.
"Both Mr. Cicilline and Mr. Taylor explained they are working on their bills because they are fair and the right thing to do. NAGLREP fully expects NAR to join us in fully supporting both bills and join us in working to eliminate any and all housing discrimination."
Graff explained that he and NAGLREP founder Jeff Berger have sent a letter urging support to NAR President William Brown, the leadership team and CEO Dale Stinton. A similar letter has been sent to all NAGLREP corporate partners including Housing Policy Summit sponsors Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Union Bank, Freddie Mac, and Long and Foster Real Estate.
Attendees at the NAGLREP Housing Policy Summit also visited their respective State representation on Capitol Hill to voice support for both bills. NAGLREP is also asking the Realtor community to contact their State representative and support both bills.
"NAGLREP has an important role to work with such distinguished members of Congress and we recognize we are living in uncertain times and were reminded during the Summit how important it is for all us to share our views with our national and state leaders," Berger said. "While not everyone aspires to be an advocate, it is critical that all of us in the real estate community do what we can to eliminate housing discrimination against anyone."
About NAGLREP
Established in 2007, The National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals ( NAGLREP ) is a mission driven 501( c )( 3 ) non profit organization with nearly 1,500 members. NAGLREP advocates on behalf of the rights of the LGBT community on issues related to housing and discrimination laws. It hosts a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender ( LGBT ) and allied REALTOR referral network which also includes mortgage professionals, title agents, insurance agents, commercial agents, trainers and educators. Visit www.naglrep.com for more information.
