I had the privilege of going to a meet and greet with Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity John Trasvina this morning at AFAN.  It was a small group of activists wanting to learn more about what HUD is doing to protect the LGBT community.   Unfortunately, the Fair Housing Act doesn’t currently cover sexual orientation as a protected class.  The seven protected classes include: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status.   Until our legislators pass legislation to protect discrimination against LGBT, the Fair Housing and Equal opportunity office is trying to use “gender expression” under the protected class of gender as a way to enforce fair housing.

What should you do if you are discriminated against for housing? While the Federal laws are slower to act, Nevada has been quite progressive with passing legislation this session to protect the LGBT community.  Both SB331 and SB368 passed this year, which is great news for the struggle for equal rights for our community.   If you have experienced discrimination, please file a complaint! It’s so important to make sure our voices are heard so we can end this type of ridiculous behavior.

To file a complaint, please contact:

HUD- Office of Fair Housing staff:

Janie Lopez: janie.o.lopez@hud.gov / (702) 366-2107

Nancy McCloskey: nancy.mccloskey@hud.gov / (702) 366-2161

You can also visit http://www.HUD.GOV/FAIRHOUSING

Our Legislators need to hear from us as well.  They need to know that any type discrimination is unacceptable. Please contact your legislators below:

They are listening to us.  Make your voice heard!

Felipe Crook

Prudential Americana Group Realtors

Las Vegas, NV 89117

1-866-589-1646

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