IN SUPPORT OF HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION

WHEREAS, it is acknowledged that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities face the difficulty of having the fewest legal rights in employment and housing of any minority group in America; and

WHEREAS, the discrimination that takes place in housing and employment forces certain members of the LGBT community into the ranks of unemployment and homelessness, thus contributing to the United States socioeconomic crisis; and

WHEREAS, many within the business community believe that “employers who discriminate are at a competitive disadvantage relative to firms that do not discriminate;” and

WHEREAS, through the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is conducting a study based on the Michigan Fair Housing Commission’s statement that “thirty percent of same- sex couples were treated negatively [based on their sexual orientation] when attempting to buy or rent property;” and

WHEREAS, all cities have a stake in making non-discrimination in employment and housing a legislative priority to enhance productivity, economic development, and human capital; and

WHEREAS, all cities can economically and socially suffer from the impacts of discrimination in housing and employment; and

WHEREAS, all cities can benefit from a more stable economy flowing from businesses and the housing market; and

WHEREAS, fewer than 500 of over 50,000 municipalities have passed ordinances preventing discrimination against same-sex couples in housing and employment,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors encourages local governments to establish nondiscrimination ordinances and addendums to include discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors supports all of its constituents regardless of race, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors pledges to urge the state and federal governments to further amend and adopt the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s rule concerning “Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity” to relate to all housing circumstances; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors calls on governments of all sizes to adopt policies, ordinances, and bills to prohibit employment discrimination against any community due to the pivotal role of diversity in strengthening the American economy and society.