Fair Housing Bill Introduced

Three congressmen, including New York's Jerrold Nadler (pictured), introduced legislation Wednesday that would extend federal civil rights protections in housing issues to gay and transgender people.

The Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act would amend the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination in the sale or rental of housing, the financing of housing, and in brokerage services on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, or marital status.

The legislation was introduced by Nadler, the Democratic chair of the judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution, civil rights, and civil liberties; Michigan Democrat John Conyers; and New York Democrat Edolphus Towns.

"In 2010, LGBT people and families should not have to face housing discrimination at the hands of the unscrupulous or bigoted," said Nadler. "This legislation will provide key updates to the Fair Housing Act to ensure that the law is actually protecting ALL Americans and guaranteeing people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, marital and familial status, and source of income the right to the housing they choose."