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On June 1, the National Association of Realtors marked the start of Pride Month with a post highlighting the importance of equal rights for the LGBTQ community. “Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with NAR, supporting equal rights for all people regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation,” the Instagram caption read.
However, the relatively innocuous post quickly became a breeding ground for anti-LGBTQ rhetoric from nearly 900 real estate agents, brokers and industry professionals who lambasted the association for allegedly failing to uphold Christian values and converting identity politics into imposed on its 1.5 million members.
“As a member of NAR for over 20 years, I want it to go bankrupt. Look at the comments… you are not speaking on behalf of the membership. You are entering into a woke agenda,” @jolson93631 wrote. “Very disappointed in this team and our leadership. Let’s get back to real estate and keep sexual preferences where they belong…in the bedroom.”
While most comments accused NAR of favoring the LGBTQ+ community — “Where’s the Straight Pride Month?” multiple commenters wrote, others used the post to slam their lawsuit against the association for a $418 million buyer’s agent commission A view of the settlement agreement, which will take effect on August 17.
“NAR chose not to defend its realtors and caves in court, resulting in massive litigation and pressure on buyers’ agencies. However, when a political agenda is involved, they get involved,” said @charlestonrealestatetoday. “My company requires me to be a NAR member but I wish I could quit!!! Stick with a career as a real estate agent, the benefits of hiring a real estate agent for the home buying and selling process, and the benefits of owning a home. Do better!
“This is just disgusting. As a gay man, I’m more concerned about the massive lawsuit you’re submitting to,” @brandon.polley added. “The lawsuits ultimately harm consumers and change our business forever. You have spent years pandering to the left and awakening ideologies instead of doing your jobs and protecting our industry. You are a joke and I [loathe] The day I have to pay you $600 a year to post pandering crap like this.
Ryan Wayant
In an interview with Inman, LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance CEO Ryan Weyandt said he saw the vitriol grow in real time as commenters accused LGBTQ+ people of simply wanting to “share what’s in their pants” or “Promote their lives”. [personal] Business” is aimed at cisgender people (people whose gender identity matches their sex registered at birth) and heterosexual people.
“[I was] Shocked, but not surprised,” he said. “For four years, we have been pointing out examples of discrimination to NAR, state, regional and local REALTORS associations. Too many in our industry are anti-LGBTQ+ and proud of it.
“Further, we have proven that REALTORS PACs across the country are supporting discriminatory candidates and elected officials,” he added, referring to the coalition’s years-long Section 10 campaign. “But now, on NAR’s own Instagram and Facebook pages, there are hundreds of inflammatory, discriminatory and hateful comments written by real estate agents themselves.”
When asked about the most high-profile anti-LGBTQ remarks, Vedant said there were “too many to list.”
“They have caused great harm and great harm to many of our members and NAR members,” he said. “The fact that the mere acknowledgment of Pride Month has elicited vitriol and vitriol from so many real estate agents shows that the real estate industry is not immune to the hatred currently being expressed by America’s LGBTQ+ community.”
Weydant said polls show growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ people; however, the comments section under the NAR post proves more needs to be done, particularly in the real estate industry.
“We’re still not very popular in a lot of places. Think about how many realtors’ kids are part of the community,” he said. “Think about your LGBTQ+ co-workers. Think about friends and family members who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Why do we allow hatred towards them?
“Our 2024 LGBTQ+ Real Estate Report shows that real estate professionals rank second in instances of discrimination in the buying and selling process against LGBTQ+ consumers,” he added. “This is evident in the comments on the NAR post.”
While many of the comments were negative, Weyandt said he was encouraged by the number of commenters who stood up for the LGBTQ+ community and reminded colleagues of Fair Housing and NAR Code of Ethics rules, both of which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, Ethnic discrimination.
“Many comments tell me that many agents need to have their licenses revoked. Apparently they don’t treat gay people ethically,” said @tim_realestate_az. “Pride Month is not about sexual orientation. It is about equality and ending social stigma.
“That’s why same-sex marriage is now legal, that’s why it’s illegal to discriminate against gay people in the professional world, it lets people know they don’t have to live in fear pretending to be someone they’re not!” he added. “They can live their own lives [and] Be who they want to be. Pride Month is for those who turn the other cheek when judged simply for the people they love. I can keep going…”
Another commenter, @rm123atl, said the NAR should track down members who make anti-LGBTQ comments and remind them of Section 10 and Standard of Practice 10-5, known as the hate speech provision.
Adopted in November 2020, the standards aim to combat racist and discriminatory speech and behavior and apply to all real estate agents’ activities, not just what they do at work.
“If NAR wanted to investigate the underlying ethics, they would just look at some of these comments,” he said. “The call came from inside the house.”
As the post continues to draw more attention, Weydant said he hopes NAR takes action against anti-LGBTQ real estate agents.
“We encourage NAR to be outspoken in support of the LGBTQ+ community, as we have asked in the past. We invite them to acknowledge that hate and discrimination have no place in our industry,” he said. “Those who clearly violate NAR’s Code of Ethics should be subject to formal ethics charges and lose their membership rights, and their brokerage firms should disassociate themselves from them.”
“We deserve the same protection and defense as other communities, such as support [Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander] he added, citing NAR’s formal apology to the Black community for decades of redlining, as well as NAR’s resistance to anti-Asian housing laws in Florida and other states. “We deserve the same support.”
In an emailed statement to Inman, a NAR spokesperson said the association “reaffirms its commitment to providing housing for all” and is proud to support “the careers and housing journeys of LGBTQ+ members, employees and clients.”
“A loved one or a person’s identity should play no role in a housing transaction. However, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity still exists in housing rentals, real estate sales, and mortgage lending. “Harassment and Hate Speech It has no place in our business or forum. Real estate agents are required to abide by a strict code of ethics and fair housing laws. Anyone who sees a violation can report it to HUD or the local REALTORS association.
Weant encouraged straight and cisgender people to support Pride events in their cities and join coalitions to become allies to their LGBTQ+ peers.
“We encourage all supporters to get involved, join a coalition — remember 23 percent of our members are allies — and make a pledge at StopHateinRealEstate.org,” he said. “Your move to join the Alliance demonstrates your commitment to alliances and to standing with the entire LGBTQ+ community in our time of need. The time for action is now.
Email Marianne McPherson
