A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT ZIEGLER
Greetings Alliance Fam:
I hope your business is thriving as we wrap up the first quarter of 2025! It’s certainly been a very productive month for The Alliance. As a recap, some of our accomplishments this month include:
- Provided educational programming to help grow your business
- Announced & opened registration for the 2025 Policy Symposium
- Released our TGX Moving Guide with the input and help of several TGX members
- Hosted a “State of The Alliance” townhall with our interim CEO, Mary Mancera to provide updates and answer live questions
- Hosted 24 local & online events
My nature is to focus on the positive but I speak to a lot of members and, the reality is, some folks are struggling. Last year represented a downturn in business for many in the real estate industry and, this year, many in the LGBTQ+ community don’t feel safe in their home. For every three steps of progress, it can feel like we take two steps back. Knowing this, I encourage you to stay positive and focus on a few things:
- Grow your business – financial stability provides the foundation on which you build your life
- Don’t isolate – there has never been a more important time for the community. Attend a local event or join us in DC for the policy symposium
- Reach out to folks you haven’t connected with recently – your touch may have an impact you weren’t expecting
- Consider leadership – within The Alliance, in your local community or even in politics.
- Visibility and representation is so important.
- Invite an ally to join – no minority has ever gained mainstream acceptance until someone in the majority stood beside them as an ally
Going into this year, I have said that our organization is for everyone within our diverse LGBTQ+ community. If you don’t see someone like you in local leadership, that’s the cue to be that person in leadership. For us, DEI isn’t a bad word, it’s an aspiration. We are better when everyone has a seat at the table and there are plenty of opportunities for that to include you.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have ideas or want to get more involved.
We want to hear from you because this is your Alliance!
Yours in advocacy,
Justin “JZ” Ziegler
2025 National President & Board Chair
Alliance Event Part of WorldPride Calendar
LGBTQ+ REAL ESTATE HOUSING SYMPOSIUM SET FOR JUNE 5-6 IN D.C.
“Given all going on in the U.S. this is a pivotal event to meet with leaders on the Hill, as well as meet with key real estate stakeholders in the U.S.” – Alliance member Kristine Milkovich
This may be THE most important LGBTQ+ Housing Policy Symposium the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance has ever hosted. Led by the current administration, attacks on the LGBTQ+ community have moved from statehouses around the nation to the federal government. The repercussions are wide-ranging and create additional barriers the LGBTQ+ community will face on our path to the financial stability homeownership provides.
June 5
Visit Capitol Hill to meet with elected leaders
Reception
June 6
Full-day of learning, engaging and networking with some of the most influential names in LGBTQ+ and housing policy.
June 6-8
Stay to participate in 50th annual WorldPride events on in D.C. Activities include:
- WorldPride Parade
- WorldPride Street Festival and Concert
- International April on Washington and Rally
ALLIANCE UNVEILS TGX “MOVING GUIDE” TO PROVIDE REAL ESTATE INFORMATION FOR THOSE LOOKING TO FLEE FROM IMPACT OF CULTURAL AND POLITICAL ATTACKS
The Alliance has released its “TGX Moving Guide,” a powerful new resource designed to support transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGX) individuals as they navigate the challenges of relocating to safer, more affirming communities.
The guide provides critical insights and practical steps for renters, homebuyers, and sellers, including:
- Navigating name changes in the buying, renting, and selling process
- Understanding tenant rights and lease-breaking options
- Securing LGBTQ+-affirming real estate and mortgage professionals
- Moving logistics, from hiring inclusive movers to staging a home
- Legal and advocacy resources for TGX individuals facing discrimination
Special thank you to several Alliance members who helped create the guide:
- Riley Behrens
- Mon Kramer
- Michael Socha
- Cori Taber
- Jamie Zapata
- Justin Ziegler
Alliance members are encouraged to download the TGX Moving Guide and share it with local Pride Centers, LGBTQ+ non-profits and individuals who might benefit from it.
MISSED THE ALLIANCE TOWN HALL? WATCH THE REPLAY
The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, led by President Justin Zeigler, held Town Hall for all members to discuss several topics including:
- President Trump’s Executive Orders and their impact on the real estate industry
- The Alliance advocacy efforts in the face of the continued political and cultural attacks on the TGX and LGBTQ+ communities.
- Details of the LGBTQ+ Housing Policy Symposium
- Information about the 2025 Experience: The Alliance
$27,000 MORE? REALTOR.COM PROVIDES TOOLS TO HELP SELL HOMES AT THE “BEST TIME OF YEAR”
Our partners at Realtor.com® recently unveiled their annual The Best Time to Sell report. which shared that the optimal time when sellers are likely to find the ideal balance of market conditions is April 13 – April 19.
If 2025 follows the previous years’ seasonal trends, sellers who put their home on the market this week could potentially get an average of $27,000 more on their home sale, sell faster and see more buyers in the market when compared to the start of the year. The report also calculated the best time to sell for the largest 50 U.S. metro areas.
Alliance members can use a variety of resources listed below to learn and engage with current and potential clients:
- Best Time to Sell Report: www.realtor.com/research/best-time-to-sell-2025
- News & Insights Article: www.realtor.com/news/trends/best-time-to-sell-2025
- News Release: www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/considering-selling-your-home-in-2025-the-best-time-to-sell-is-right-around-the-corner-according-to-realtorcom-302398739.html
PRO Toolkit for Brokers and Agents with marketing assets & checklists: www.realtor.com/marketing/resources/campaign-hub/btts
APRIL 18 DEADLINE: LGBTQ+ REAL ESTATE TOP PRODUCERS
The Alliance is once again working with Real Trends on our annual LGBTQ+ Real Estate Top Producers list which honors members for their 2024 real estate sales production.
Alliance members who qualify for RealTrends Verified, which includes the America’s Best Real Estate Professionals and The Thousand, will also be considered for the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Top Producers list.
- An individual must have closed at least 25 sides OR $10 million in sales volume in 2024.
- A team must have closed at least 40 sides OR $16 million in sales volume in 2024.
- The team lead must be an Alliance member.
- All participating teams MUST email David Siroty with the following by April 18, 2025:
- Full name of team
- Name of team lead (must be a member to be considered)
- Full company name including brand name
The following brands enter ALL agents at no cost who meet the above minimums:
- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
- Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate
- Century 21
- Coldwell Banker
- Compass
- Douglas Elliman
- Engel & Völkers
- ERA
- Exit Realty
- Intero
- Keller Williams
- NextHome
- RE/MAX
- Sotheby’s International Realty
Note: Realty Executives and LeadingRE agents and teams should use the code provided by your corporate office in lieu of payment)
If your brand/company is NOT on the above list, you can still apply at www.realtrends.com. The deadline for entry is April 18, 2025. You will be responsible for the $175 fee for RealTrends. Be prepared to also submit third-party verification.
ADVERTISE IN THE COMING ALLIANCE MAGAZINE
June and Pride Month are around the corner and so is our third annual The Alliance magazine. Filled with great content, photos, and articles about LGBTQ+ and ally members, along with highlighting Alliance initiatives, the magazine is our unique way to say, “Happy Pride.” The magazine will be circulated digitally with distribution of a printed version shared at the 2025 Experience the Alliance Conference. This year, we are allowing a limited number of 36 members to place a digital business card ad in the magazine – a perfect way to generate referrals and support the Alliance.
SPREAD THE WORD: WE NEED MORE ALLIES!
Do you have a friend or colleague who is already an ally? What about those who want to learn about the LGBTQ+ community? What about those with an LGBTQ+ child? If so, share the details about our next Alliance Certified Ally course set for June 12 from 2-4 ET
The course has changed the lives of nearly 2,000 previous attendees who have gained great insight into the LGBTQ+ community with a focus on how unconscious bias impacts so many.
The Alliance Certified Ally course allows attendees to put their support to the LGBTQ+ to work!
APRIL 18 DEADLINE: LGBTQ+ REAL ESTATE TOP PRODUCERS
The Alliance is once again working with Real Trends on our annual LGBTQ+ Real Estate Top Producers list which honors members for their 2024 real estate sales production.
Alliance members who qualify for RealTrends Verified, which includes the America’s Best Real Estate Professionals and The Thousand, will also be considered for the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Top Producers list.
- An individual must have closed at least 25 sides OR $10 million in sales volume in 2024.
- A team must have closed at least 40 sides OR $16 million in sales volume in 2024.
- The team lead must be an Alliance member.
- All participating teams MUST email David Siroty with the following by April 18, 2025:
- Full name of team
- Name of team lead (must be a member to be considered)
- Full company name including brand name
The following brands enter ALL agents at no cost who meet the above minimums:
- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
- Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate
- Century 21
- Coldwell Banker
- Compass
- Douglas Elliman
- Engel & Völkers
- ERA
- Exit Realty
- Intero
- Keller Williams
- NextHome
- RE/MAX
- Sotheby’s International Realty
Note: Realty Executives and LeadingRE agents and teams should use the code provided by your corporate office in lieu of payment)
If your brand/company is NOT on the above list, you can still apply at www.realtrends.com. The deadline for entry is April 18, 2025. You will be responsible for the $175 fee for RealTrends. Be prepared to also submit third-party verification.
FREDDIE MAC HAS LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Alliance partner Freddie Mac has created a variety of learning opportunities that are FREE for Alliance members. Take a look and register for those that interest you.
April 2025
CHOICERenovation and GreenCHOICE Mortgages: How Energy Efficiency and Renovation Products are Leading the Way for New Borrowers
Wednesday, April 23
2 – 3 p.m. ET
Register
May 2025
Accessory Dwelling Units for Real Estate Professionals
Wednesday, May 21
2 – 3 p.m. ET
June 2025
Matching Borrowers to Down Payment Assistance with DPA One
Tuesday, June 17
2 – 3 p.m. ET
YOUR OPINION REALLY MATTERS!
It is time for our annual LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance Member Survey! While we recognize how busy we all are, this year’s survey is extremely important!
Along with learning about our members and the important role the Alliance plays in the real estate industry, we want to learn our member’s views on the impact of discrimination along with the current administration’s focus on DEI and the LGBTQ+ community.
The survey should take 20 minutes to complete.
Those who complete the survey will be eligible for a random drawing to win a $250 Amazon Giftcard!
The survey is open until April 18th!
