A bipartisan measure was introduced in the United States Senate in late April to expand fair housing protections to LGBTQ persons. The Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2019, introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), and Tim Kaine (D-VA), would expressly include “sexual orientation and gender identity” as characteristics protected by the Fair Housing Act. If this bill becomes law, it will prohibit housing providers from denying individuals housing based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Co-sponsor Tim Kaine, in a press release announcing the introduction of the bill, says that this bill “is about ensuring all Americans have access to equal housing.” Sen. Collins echoed that sentiment, stating that “[t]hroughout my Senate service, I have worked to end discrimination against LGBTQ Americans, and it is time we ensure that all people have full access to housing regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. I urge our colleagues to join us in supporting this important legislation.”

Although the Fair Housing Act, in its current form, does not expressly extend its protections to LGBTQ individuals, some federal courts already have determined that such persons are entitled to protection under the statute. These federal decisions mainly stem from the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins. In Price Waterhouse, the Supreme Court considered whether the protections of Title VII extended to individuals based on stereotyping based on sex. The Supreme Court concluded that sex discrimination includes discrimination based on “gender stereotypes.” Plaintiffs alleging housing discrimination have successfully argued in a number of cases that the Price Waterhouse prohibition on gender discrimination applies to their LGBTQ status.

The federal appellate courts are divided on whether sexual orientation or gender identity is protected under analogous civil rights statutes. Moreover, the Supreme Court recently accepted three cases in which it will determine the scope of protections based on “sex” within Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prevents employers from discriminating on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin and religion.

Although the Fair Housing Act provides a potent remedy against housing discrimination in the form of damages claims, there are other avenues for protection. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for instance, interprets the Fair Housing Act to protect individuals from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity based on the Price Waterhouse decision. HUD also adopted a rule prohibiting lenders that utilize the FHA mortgage insurance program, HUD-assisted or HUD-insured housing providers, and all other recipients of HUD funds from discriminating on the basis of “sexual orientation or gender identity.” HUD has also issued a rule protecting transgender individuals while enrolled in certain housing programs receiving HUD funds. Finally, in addition to HUD protections, 21 states and several hundred municipalities have enacted laws protecting individuals against housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. All that being said, there have been multiple reports that HUD has considered rolling back these protections, and HUD has elected not to release previously drafted rules designed to enhance protections based on gender identity.

It is uncertain–at best–whether the Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2019 will clear both the Senate and the House and be signed into law. Even if this particular proposal is unsuccessful, however, there is at least some measure of bipartisan appetite for legislation regarding federal housing protection afforded to LGBTQ individuals. Moreover, the presence of state and local anti-discrimination laws, as well as HUD regulations prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, means that lenders, property managers, and other housing providers subject to the Fair Housing Act must take great care to avoid discriminatory practices.