How One Organization is Fighting LGBTQ+ Discriminiation

What’s the official name of your organization?

We are the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance-CLE

How did it get started? What’s the story behind its founding?

When we look at the demographics of homeowners in America we see significant gaps related to different minority populations. The LGBTQ+ community carries a homeownership gap of about 15% and is partially related to fear of discrimination during the home buying process. Ohio is 1 of 29 states where there are still no legal protections in place when it comes to discrimination against housing & public accommodation for the LGBTQ+ community. We launched in January of 2020 as a training resource for realtors, lenders, title reps, attorneys, and anyone else in the real estate industry on how they can be effective allies to their LGBTQ+ clients and help us to close that gap of homeownership.

What’s your mission? Whom are you trying to serve? 

At The Alliance CLE, we Advocate for fair housing for all and promote LGBTQ+ homeownership. We elevate professionalism in the industry through education and Active Ally training.

What would the world look like as your mission comes to fruition?

We are working to train an army of Ally realtors and other real estate related professionals who understand what it means to use “inclusive” vocabulary, like asking if you’re purchasing a home alone or with your “spouse” vs your “husband” or “wife”, recognizing & knowing how to combat silly stereotypes, and giving them the tools they need to be effective allies for those clients they want to help become homeowners. As we advocate for fair housing in our area through fundraisers supporting groups like Plexus, the local LGBT chamber of commerce & Education Foundation, and Equality Ohio we hope to create an environment where LGBTQ+ people feel safe from discrimination and to train enough allies in the various areas of the real estate industry to eliminate the fear of discrimination and start to close the 15% gap in homeownership for our community.

What are some stereotypes you’re trying to overcome? 

Things like LGBTQ couples wouldn’t need a nursery or to worry about a school district, two gay men don’t want a nice kitchen, or over-gendering of spaces when staging a house for sale like hanging his/hers towels in a bathroom with dual sinks, or terms like “she sheds”, or “man caves” vs bonus space. But much of what we want to do is help people communicate in a way that makes their clients feel safe and heard. It's been 6 years since we were given marriage equality and so many banks and real estate companies are still printing terms like “husband” and “wife” on their contracts & legal documents.                

What are some of the struggles you’re currently facing as a “startup” board?

We have had overwhelming support from the Cleveland real estate and local queer community and wonderful volunteers for our trainings & speaking engagements. I am so lucky to have amazing board members like real estate agent Dan Tyson of Remax Edge and Erin Jagels of Puroclean Property Restoration working beside me this year. I think our biggest struggle is just finding time to do as many events as the wonderful community is willing to support. 

What would you say to inspire others who are in a similar position, climbing their own mountain right now?

Collaboration = Foundation. Find a group of strong industry leaders who either share or recognize the value in your mission and are willing to make simple partnership commitments like sharing marketing material and social posts, highlighting your fundraisers, or assisting in building training & developing new industry standards. We have been so lucky at The Alliance - CLE to have the opportunity to partner with real estate organizations like Women’s council of realtors (WCR), Akron Canton Association of Realtors (ACAR), and Plexus (the LGBT chamber of commerce in Cleveland) and are grateful for all of their support in our launch.

How can readers learn more about you? How can we support you?

We would love for anyone interested in learning more to Follow us on Facebook where we communicate our training opportunities and community events.

Right now we are in the process of running a fundraiser supporting the “Ohio Fairness Act” a piece of legislation that would grant nondiscrimination protections to the LGBTQ+ community in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations. We would love for everyone to come join us on the river Saturday, July 24th from 2-4 pm as we Stand up for what’s right by sitting down to Float for Fairness!! 

Your tickets include: a float down the Cuyahoga River, a rockin commemorative event tee, a special pride gift, and an in-person networking afterparty at Leos from 4-6 pm.

And you can learn more about this article’s interviewee, Jacki Schaffer by checking out this interview.