The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has proposed a dangerous rule that would make it nearly impossible to achieve protection against discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. The proposed rule--affecting disparate impact cases--would make it very difficult for victims of housing discrimination to pursue their rights in court. It also lets a housing provider or lender choose a policy that creates more profit regardless of its discriminatory impacts, and discourages lenders and insurance companies from keeping records in order to avoid liability. If moved forward, this proposed rule would create a harmful precedent, and LGBTQ+ people and their families would be affected at greater proportions than the general population, so weighing in matters. You can help. Please submit a public comment to the Federal Register TODAY, October 18th by visiting https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-17542. -
Be clear to OPPOSE the proposed rule (see sample you can use below). -
Mention being a member or supporter of PFLAG in your letter so that we can search for the word “PFLAG” and track how many members and chapters are helping us weigh in on this important matter. -
Tell a story about how you, a member of your family, a friend, or a neighbor has experienced or fears being subjected to housing discrimination. Here’s an example of how to prepare your public comment: Docket No. FR-6111-P-02: HUD's Implementation of the Fair Housing Act's Disparate Impact Standard As a member of PFLAG, I write to oppose the changes to the Disparate Impact rule proposed in HUD's Implementation of the Fair Housing Act's Disparate Impact Standard, Docket No. FR-6111-P-02. Because my family is part of the LGBTQ+ community [Feel free to personalize by citing the LGBTQ+ person’s/people’s relationship to you], I am deeply invested in the effective implementation of the disparate impact standard that has been in place for 40 years. LGBTQ+ people -- especially LGBTQ+ people of color, LGBTQ+ people living with disabilities, and low-income LGBTQ+ people -- are disproportionately likely to experience discrimination in access to both housing and credit. Everyone should have the opportunity for a place to call home and be free from discrimination. Where we live impacts every aspect of our lives — access to good jobs, good schools, public transportation, and safe streets and communities. [Feel free to include or omit any or all of the below paragraphs as part of your comment.] In 2015, approximately one in four transgender people in the U.S. experienced some form of housing discrimination because of their gender identity, according to the U.S. Transgender Survey. HUD’s own research indicates that same-sex couples are treated less favorably than heterosexual couples in the online rental housing market, and 40% of young people who experience homelessness identify as LGBTQ+. I oppose this proposed rule on behalf of myself and my family. Thank you for your consideration. | 
