On Tuesday, U.S. Representatives Susan W. Brooks (R-Ind.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) introduced legislation to extend clear and consistent non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in housing.
Brooks
H.R. 2402, the Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2019, would include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” as protected characteristics under the Fair Housing Act which currently mandates non-discrimination for housing on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability.
“Housing discrimination and prejudice of any kind, towards anyone, is wrong,” said Brooks. “It is a fundamental American value enshrined in our Constitution to ensure equal protection under the law for all people in our country, including when purchasing or renting property. I am proud to lead this common-sense, bipartisan bill, the Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2019, so that anyone, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, handicap, familial status and national origin is treated fairly and equally under the law as they buy or rent a place to call home.”