Fair housing workshops aimed at educating LGBT community about discrimination issues

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights’ “All Doors Are Open In Kentucky” program will provide three workshops focusing on fair housing for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
 

The commission aims to educate LGBT citizens on housing discrimination issues, and also to ensure housing professionals and listing companies are able to comply with a new rule passed by The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently extending equal opportunity and treatment to LGBT citizens. Previously, the Fair Housing Act covered immigrants and refugees who do not speak English, people with disabilities and members of racial minorities.
 

The three workshops for LGBT individuals will be held later this month: on June 20 at Murray State University, on June 21 at Centre College and on June 22 at Morehead State University. Each workshop runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Among those speaking at the three workshops is H. Alexander Robinson, who serves as executive director and CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition, and is president of the NBJC Action Fund. NBJC is an LGBT advocacy civil rights organization. Also speaking will be Jacqueline Miller, policy and litigation fellow of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
 

Registration is free, but reservations are required. The deadline for reservations is June 15 and can be made by calling 800-292-5566, ext. 26.
 

The commission will also hold workshops at the Chickasaw Park musical Summerfest in Louisville on June 23. The walk-in “Fair Housing Know Your Rights” workshops will be held at 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Fair Housing Center located in tent number 10. 
 

According to the U.S. and Kentucky Fair Housing acts, people have the right to choose the housing they want and can afford without being discriminated against based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. The familial status class protects people who have children under age 18 in the household and women who are pregnant. It is also against fair housing law for newspapers and other advertisers to put “No Children Allowed” in a housing rental or sale advertisement.
 

To learn more about the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights and to stay up to date with new events, click here. 
 

From Ky. Commission on Human Rights