June should be a time of celebration for the LGBTQ+ community — a month of Pride, solidarity and progress. Yet, as we mark this occasion, our community faces unprecedented challenges: a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, federal policies rolling back protections and a disturbing rise in housing discrimination perpetuated by those who should know better — real estate professionals.
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Discrimination is not just an LGBTQ problem. By 2030, the U.S. minority population will account for 44.2 percent of the total population and most homebuyers. At a moment when the public is questioning the value and service of real estate professionals, we must not relax our standards.
The data doesn’t lie: Discrimination is a real problem in real estate
The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance’s 2025 LGBTQ+ Real Estate Report, which we will publicly share next week, reveals a troubling trend: Real estate professionals are now the leading source of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in housing, according to Alliance members.
When asked where discrimination most frequently occurs:
- 22.2 percent reported discrimination by real estate agents against prospective homebuyers
- 17.8 percent cited legal forms failing to represent LGBTQ+ life experiences
- 15.7 percent identified discrimination by real estate professionals against prospective tenants
This marks the first time since 2022 that agents have topped the list — a disgraceful distinction that tarnishes our entire profession. Even worse, 33 percent of respondents say anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination has increased over the past three years, the highest level ever recorded by the Alliance.
Unconscious bias is no excuse – professional standards exist for a reason
Some might dismiss these findings as “unconscious bias,” but ignorance is not absolution. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) Code of Ethics is unequivocal:
Realtors shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.” (Article 10, amended 2023)
Yet, despite this clear mandate:
- 19.2 percent of respondents report increased unconscious bias at the company level
- 22.2 percent see it rising at the industry level
- 15.5 percent report blatant discrimination at the industry level
These numbers are not just statistics — they represent real people denied homes, dignity and equal treatment because some agents refuse to uphold the ethical standards they swore to follow.
Discrimination hurts business – and the industry’s reputation
Real estate is built on trust. When agents discriminate, they don’t just harm individuals — they erode public confidence in the entire profession.
Consider these facts:
- Only 25.8 percent of LGBTQ+ respondents believe real estate is less discriminatory than other industries — down from 38.8 percent in 2022
- The mortgage industry fares even worse, with just 19.2 percent viewing it as inclusive, compared to 27.5 percent in 2022
This decline in trust should alarm every Realtor. In an era where more than 1 in 5 Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ+, and the U.S. is rapidly approaching a majority-minority population, exclusionary practices aren’t just unethical — they’re bad for business.
The hypocrisy of public discrimination vs. professional conduct
Realtors must be held to the highest ethical standards. We are stewards of the American people’s experience of buying and selling homes.
Some agents may think they can publicly oppose LGBTQ+ rights while still serving LGBTQ+ clients. This is delusional. Real estate is a relationship-driven profession — your public persona is your business persona.
- If you post anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric online but expect queer clients to trust you, you’re lying to yourself
- If you support politicians pushing anti-LGBTQ+ laws but claim to uphold Fair Housing, you are part of the problem
As the saying goes, “money talks.” LGBTQ+ consumers vote with their dollars and only refer professionals who have treated them well.
In 2023, LGBTQ+ people bought 11 percent of the homes sold in the U.S. that year and pumped $182 billion into the housing economy. That’s green in your pocket, too, and missed transactions if you are perceived as unprofessional. Because referrals work both ways — if your service falls short or is biased, your name will be passed around fast.
The time for change is now
We cannot tolerate discrimination — intentional or not.
The solution is clear:
- Mandate Fair Housing training for all agents, with a focus on LGBTQ+ inclusion
- Hold violators accountable — NAR and brokerages must enforce the Code of Ethics
- Amplify LGBTQ+ voices in real estate to ensure policies reflect real experiences
Actions matter. The real estate industry prides itself on professionalism. It’s time to prove it.
Happy Pride — now let’s do better.
Justin “JZ” Ziegler is a real estate broker and serves as the 2025 national president of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance. Connect with him on Instagram and LinkedIn.
