Video: Donovan Announces HUD to Ban Anti-LGBT Disrimination in Federal Housing Programs

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced on Saturday that his agency will codify a proposed rule next week that will bar anti-LGBT discrimination in federal housing programs.

"LGBT discrimination is real and we must do something about it," he said at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s annual Creating Change conference in Baltimore. "LGBT individuals and couples have the right to live where they choose. This is an idea whose time has come."



Donovan first unveiled the proposal that would specifically include HUD-funded programs and Federal Housing Authority-backed mortgages last June. The agency announced in June 2010 that prospective grant recipients must comply with local and state anti-discrimination laws that include LGBT-specific protections.

HUD also hosted the first federal summit on housing for LGBT elders in December.

"All HUD housing providers are covered under this rule," said John Trasviña, assistant secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at HUD, earlier on Monday.

Video: HUD Secretary Speaks to Transgender Rights Group

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan on Tuesday, Nov. 15, became the first sitting cabinet member to attend a transgender-specific event when he delivered the keynote address at the National Center for Transgender Equality's annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Donovan highlighted HUD's work to ensure equal treatment of trans people in federally-funded housing and mortgage programs in his speech at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel. He also pointed out the Office of Personnel Management's ban on discrimination against trans federal employees, the addition of gender identity and expression to the federal hate crimes law and the directive that trans veterans receive equal access to health care as among the Obama administration's trans-specific accomplishments.



NCTE also honored Pride at Work Co-Chair Donna Cartwright and Brian Bond, former deputy director of the White House Office of the Public Liaison.