In advance of the imminent implementation of the new marriage-equality laws on June 1 in Illinois, a groundbreaking new Community Marketing & Insights research study has just been released that was produced in partnership with Chicago's Dream Town Realty.

The first-of-its-kind survey reveals that while there is a lot of excitement surrounding the forthcoming legal changes, the rapidly evolving landscape has also generated a great deal of confusion among the LGBT community in the nation's third-largest metropolis. Additionally, the study uncovered concerns about discrimination in the home-purchase process among LGBT buyers and sellers.

Among the key findings are that:

—Just more than half of LGBTs in the Chicago metro area at least "somewhat prefer" to work with a realtor who self-identifies as LGBT;

—95 percent of LGBTs say they prefer to work with a real-estate firm that is "at least" LGBT-friendly;

—Despite the recognition of marriage equality, as well as other longer-standing non-discrimination protections, 57 percent of LGBTs still have concerns about the possibility of discrimination in the home-buying process; and

—When asked about the kinds of resources needed to help them better understand the real estate process and their opportunities, many Chicago LGBTs said they want info on neighborhoods; a clearer grasp of tax and legal issues for same-sex couples; and info about their home-financing options.

The report is at Article Link Here . For more about Dream Town Realty, see Article Link Here .