May 2026 Newsletter

Hello Y'all,

Rising Together, With Intention

The strength of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance has never been about a single voice — it's about all of ours, rising together. However, a voice can only carry as far as the support behind it. Our chapters, our members, and our shared commitment are the resources that allow this organization to grow, to advocate, and to be heard where it matters most. As we move into May, the call is simple but urgent: invest your time, your energy, and your leadership into building something that can outlast any one moment. Growth isn't automatic, nor taken for granted — it's intentional. And right now, intention matters.

The Symposium: Where Insight Turns Into Action

This year's Housing Policy Symposium on June 12th feels different — and not just because we say that every year. The reality is, it is. We are operating in a time when our community is under constant pressure, not only socially and politically, but also in ways that challenge organizations like ours that advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. That makes this gathering more pivotal than ever.

Furthermore, the session lineup reflects exactly where the fight is happening. From "The LGBTQ Data Problem: When Communities Become Invisible" to "Regulatory Rollback: The State of Fair Housing and How Industry Can Fill the Gaps," from the ongoing "Housing Affordability Crisis" to "Pressure to Power: The Role of LGBTQ+ Real Estate Professionals in Today's Market" — these conversations are not theoretical. They are defining the landscape we are actively working within. Add to those the sessions on "The Future of Homeownership for Gen Z" and "Trans Bill of Rights: Where Human Rights and Housing Rights Intersect," and it becomes clear: this is where insight turns into action.

The Hill Visits: Often Overlooked, Always Impactful

And then there are the Hill Visits on June 11th — often overlooked, but deeply impactful. Even when legislators' schedules shift and some offices are on recess, the value remains. There is power in walking through those halls, having conversations with those who are present, and sharing what's happening beyond their immediate awareness. Even in so-called "blue" states, there are gaps in understanding about the challenges faced elsewhere. And sometimes it's that unexpected hallway conversation — with a legislator from a purple or red state who stops to listen — that opens the most meaningful dialogue. These moments are informative, inspiring, and grounding. They remind us why we do this work.

Every time we come together in person, we reconnect to purpose, gain clarity, and find the strength to keep moving forward. That momentum — shared, renewed, and focused — is what will help us chart a path toward equality within our lifetime. It's what keeps me going.

Please join us in D.C. on June 11th and 12th.

— Tommie Wehrle, 2026 National President, LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance