HRC Responds to Rohrabacher’s Support of Discrimination

HRC responded to Rep. Dana Rohrabacher’s comments to a group of Realtors last week, during which he reportedly asserted that homeowners should have the right to refuse to sell their property to LGBTQ people.

In a meeting with the Orange County Association of Realtors, Rohrabacher reportedly said: “Every homeowner should be able to make a decision not to sell their home to someone (if) they don’t agree with their lifestyle. We’ve drawn a line on racism, but I don’t think we should extend that line. A homeowner should not be required to be in business with someone they think is doing something that is immoral.”

“It is unconscionable that in 2018 that Dana Rohrabacher believes LGBTQ people do not deserve legal protections from housing discrimination. He could not be more out of touch with everyday Americans and  his own constituents,” said David Stacy, HRC Government Affairs Director. “More than 70 percent of voters believe that every American should be able to buy or rent a home regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Speaker Ryan, who has supported employment non-discrimination protections in the past, should make clear that House Republicans reject Rohrabacher’s comments and schedule a hearing on LGBTQ housing discrimination. We thank the National Association of REALTORs for withdrawing their endorsement of Rohrabacher and the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals for their work to ensure  that he is held accountable for his discriminatory comments..”

Following a strong protest by the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP), the National Association of Realtors (NAP) withdrew its endorsement of Rohrabacher, and rescinded its recommendation that members send campaign contributions to him, citing his comments as contrary to their code of ethics.

The Human Rights Campaign continues to call for passage of the Equality Act, which provides basic protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, access to public spaces, housing, education, jury service, credit and federal funding.

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