The Fair Housing Act Now Protects People Being Discriminated Against Because of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

In January 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 13988 on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation. EEOC is the first federal agency to formally implement the executive order.

Effective immediately, HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) accepts filing and investigation of all complaints of sex discrimination, including discrimination because of gender identity or sexual orientation.

At the core of HUD’s mission is an endeavor to ensure that all people peacefully enjoy a place they call home, where they are safe and can thrive, free from discrimination and fear. Yet, this ideal remains unrealized for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identifying persons, who have been denied the constitutional promise of equal protection under the law throughout most of American history.

Courts and governments have routinely withheld legal legitimacy from loving couples because of their sex and denied many persons the freedom to express a gender that defies norms.

These injustices have perpetuated across our civic institutions: the workplace, the marketplace, places of education, and many others.

But among the most personal and fundamental of these institutions is housing, where, when granted the protection of fair housing law, we all can enjoy the happiness and freedom to love whom we choose and to safely express who we are.

CONTACT US TO FILE A COMPLAINT

If you believe you have been discriminated against in housing because of gender identity, sexual orientation or any of the other protected classes you can file a complaint with us.

We will respond within 1 business day and refer your complaint to the proper agency. We are a Arizona Relay Friendly Business.

Complaint Hotline:

Online Form
520-306-0938
hotline@seriaz.org
Direct Mail Form

This material is based on work supported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under FHIP Grant EOI FEOI20038. Any opinion, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of HUD.