LGBTQ Pride Month 2022 begins today. The month-long celebration honors the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. As Pride Month kicks off, HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge reaffirmed HUD’s support of the LGBTQ community in a video.

“We stand with the LGBTQ community against housing discrimination,” Secretary Fudge says. “We ensure that housing is inclusive, welcoming, and safe for all.”

Moreover, Pride Month is a time to recognize the impact of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people on history. However, as housing professionals, we can also reflect on and review how we interact with LGBTQ individuals.

“We ensure that housing is inclusive, welcoming, and safe for all.”

– HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge

Pride Month + Equal Access Rule

Also, HUD’s Equal Access Rule (EAR) requires equal access to housing. Owners and agents cannot take into account someone’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. EAR regulations also include the following:

• A general equal access provision. HUD-funded housing and FHA-insured mortgages are available without regard to actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status;
• Clarification. The terms “family” and “household” include persons regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status;
• Prohibition. Owners and operators of HUD-funded housing or FHA-insured housing cannot ask about sexual orientation or gender identity; and
• Prohibition. FHA lenders cannot determine the adequacy of income based on account actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

During Pride Month, please follow our social media. We will offer tips for ensuring Fair Housing for everyone.

Related to Pride Month

• Pride Month ’22 Week 2 Quiz: Gender Identity & Pronouns
• Gender Identity, Pronouns, and Fair Housing
• LGBT Equal Access