Sorry to be a cynic, Lurleen….
But this seems intellectually superfluous to me, and, therefore, hugely questionable in why it’s being done at all.
Does HUD doubt that LGBTs ARE discriminated against in housing?
If they do, then they’re idiots.
If they don’t, then what can this study….at taxpayer expense….including LGBT taxpayers….contribute other than to give the illusion that Obama Inc. is “doing” something?
“What to focus on?”
BANNING DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING FOR LGBTS!

I really don’t share your cynicism on this one at all, MichaelGood government means taking the opinions of stakeholders into account.  In this case, that’s LGBT people.  
As you know too well, the people running federal agencies don’t necessarily understand what LGBT people face in housing, employment or any other aspect of life an agency may influence.  Yes, it is clear that we face discrimination, but how many straight people do you know, let alone those working in federal agencies, who really understand the ins and out and magnitude and urgency of the problem?  Precious few, I’d say.  Happily what this HUD project tells me is that there are people in HUD who know they need to know more, and are coming to us asking to be educated.  I find this a really excellent development.  The alternative is the government making policy for us without our input, and who wants that?

One more thing…This is a lot like voting.  If you don’t participate now, you can’t complain later.

Flyover country?Just exactly what are the starting and ending points of a trip that causes one to “flyover” Spokane?
“flyover” country normally refers to the middle, and usually rural, portion of the country that one “flies over” when traveling between the major population centers of the two coasts of the country.  It usually is used to refer to places like Iowa, Kansas or Nebraska.

My cyncism extends to dampening my enthusiasmdown until I see them do more than “listen.” Listening tours are great. And it’s great to get the info out within our community so we can be sure folks will embrace an opportunity to be heard. Will it translate to good policy with teeth and fierce advocacy? I guess we’ll see.  

that was my term, not theirsand by it i meant anything other than a major coastal metropolis like the three major cities they already held meetings in.  spokane is definitely a city, but it is surrounded by a vast rural area.  and being on the east side of the cascades, the area always complaining (probably legitimately) that it is neglected in comparison to pugetopolis, it is fair to call it ‘flyover’ country because it feels its always being treated as such.

This is so interesting….Let’s see…stakeholders…So if some landlords show up and object, they wouldn’t be shouted down we would to Klansman showing up saying that they don’t like renting to black people?
Spokane and the entire state of Washington already HAS full orientation and gender identity protections (unless they’re expecting a large contingent from Idaho).  This seems set up and doomed to fail.
Someone should ask them why they are not enforcing the the Schroer decision and putting an end to anti-transgender discrimination now in housing nationwide.
http://www.aclu.org/lgbt-right…

Federal housing and housing programs aren’t subject to state lawas far as I am aware, so it is still necessary to have this conversation in Washington.  Also, just because housing discrimination has been outlawed recently in WA doesn’t mean that the laws are being adhered to.  If people are still being barred illegally from leases or loans, HUD needs to hear about it.  When a law passes, the bigotry doesn’t just magically disappear.  Also, since WA’s antidiscrimination law is so new, there will be plenty of people around who suffered relatively recently, before it was passed.
I would assume that a Klansman-landlord could also come and testify too if they want to.  Why shouldn’t they be able to?  Should they be silenced?  In fact I would hope that if such landlords exist in the area that they will testify so that HUD understands the severity of the problem facing LGBT people trying to get housing.  Never assume that people outside the minority understand the fullness of the problems we face.  The more we can get out in the open at meetings like this the better.

tyes, they need to be held accountable…for coming up with a meaningful final product, not just a process.  so let’s give them so much valuable information during the process that they have no excuse not to generate a substantial final policy with teeth.

Communities of color…LGBT of color, especially Black and Latinos, face double discriminatory pratices in housing for being LGBT and POC. There's ignorance on the matter but most of it is just willful emphaty from the “community”.

Discrimination in HousingWhile it is true the Fair Housing Act does not include the LGBT community as a protected class and makes no mention of sexual orientation, the National Association of REALTORS® last month addressed the issue in our Code of Ethics.  
The changes were made to Article 10 of the Code of Ethics, which addresses “duties to the public.” That approved a rule that bans REALTORS® from denying equal professional services to a customer on the basis of sexual orientation.
That part of the Code already prohibits REALTORS® from discriminating against customers on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Standard of Practice 10-3 was also amended to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in any advertisements for selling or renting property.
With 1.2 million members, the NAR is a powerful PAC and influences legislation in a variety of areas.  With your letters, emails and phone calls to your legislators and the influence of the NAR, we should see the Fair Housing Act amended soon.  Once this is done the strict penalties levied against those who discriminate will also protect LGBTs.
Under the current Fair and thus are protected from discrimination.

CorrectionThe last line of my previous comment should have said, “Those with aids are considered handicapped and are protected under the current Fair Housing Act”

very exciting to hear!what about transgender people though? is the NAR in discussion regarding adding gender identity or expression to the list of protected characteristics?

undoubtedly truei hope people will show up and raise this important point, that some people face multiple layers of discrimination.

TransgenderI would expect that the non-discrimination of LGBTs by the National Association will be taken seriously with regard to all classes.  The clarification of our Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice reflect our attitude against discrimination of any type.