National Association of Realtors® announces partnership with LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance.

WASHINGTON (May 26, 2021) – The National Association of Realtors^® announced today a new partnership with the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance. The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance was founded in June of 2020 and currently has more than 1,800 members across the U.S. and Canada. The collaboration will allow the groups to identify training opportunities that cultivate LGBTQ+ leaders and mobilize members in support of mutually beneficial federal policies, among other pro-LGBTQ+ and real estate industry initiatives.

“NAR has long championed LGBTQ rights in the housing market, and we’re proud to continue leading today’s industry in the fight against discrimination,” said NAR President Charlie Oppler, a Realtor^® from Franklin Lakes, N.J., and the CEO of Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International. “As the nation recognizes Pride Month this June, we’re excited to announce this partnership with The Alliance and to begin our work toward initiatives that will provide tremendous benefits to American real estate and our society as a whole.”

NAR amended its Code of Ethics in 2011 and 2013 to ensure Realtors^® were upholding housing protections for members of the LGBTQ community. More recently, it worked with the Department of Housing and Urban Development as the agency reformed its enforcement of the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“The partnership between NAR and The Alliance is built on a mutual desire to advance the shared interests of our members, supporting both the Alliance’s mission and NAR’s Core Values to lead change while advancing diversity and inclusion,” said NAR CEO Bob Goldberg.  “NAR will continue to explore partnerships with organizations that share our values and our commitment to the American Dream of homeownership.”

The Alliance advocates on behalf of the LBGTQ+ community on a variety of home-related topics. A 501(c)6 non-profit, it also provides its membership with a variety of learning and business opportunities.

“Having the leading trade association in the U.S. as a part of The Alliance is a huge step for our members and the entirety of the LGBTQ+ community,” said John Thorpe, The Alliance’s national president and board chairman. “NAR has been at the forefront of removing barriers members of our community might face in the journey to homeownership, including ensuring the Realtor^® community refrains from discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. It also has been prominent in calling for passage of the Equality Act and providing Fair Housing benefits at the federal level and the 27 states where we are not protected.”

The National Association of Realtors^® is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.4 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

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