Housing Discrimination Based on Sex, Gender or Sexual Orientation

Sex discrimination is negative or unwanted treatment or attention that is based on any of the following:

biological sex
perceived biological sex
gender
gender identity
sexual orientation, or
others’ stereotyped views based on any of these.

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is when a person makes unwanted sexual advances or comments or seeks sexual acts in exchange for housing benefits.

Examples:

“I’ll take $50 off the rent if you go on a date with me this Friday.”
Your landlord comes into your home without notice, often when you are in the shower, dressing or sleeping.
Your landlord often makes comments about your body or other peoples' bodies or attractiveness.

Discrimination based on gender roles and stereotypes

Discrimination based on gender roles or gender stereotyping is discrimination against you because you don’t fit someone else’s idea or stereotype of what a person of your biological sex can do or how you should behave.

Examples:

“You’re a single woman. You can’t afford the rent without a man.”
“Oh good, you’re a guy. You can help me out around the yard.”
“You don’t want this house. You’re a woman and it has a wood stove.”
“I know how guys are, and I don’t want a lot of parties.”
“You’re an attractive woman. I don’t want lots of guys coming around.”

Discrimination based on gender identity and expression

Discrimination against you because of your gender identity or expression is a decision or action based on another person’s beliefs about what gender you should have, what biological sex you are, or about how you should act (for example, walk, talk or dress).

Examples:

“I know you like people to call you Robyn, but I’m going to call you Rob.”
“I’m not going to rent to you because you act too feminine, and it makes me uncomfortable.”
Disparaging you or others because of gender presentation. (“She walks like a man.”)
Repeatedly using the wrong gender pronouns after you have explained your pronouns several times.

Discrimination based on sexual orientation

Sexual orientation discrimination is discrimination against you because you are romantically or sexually attracted to, date, live with, or marry a person of the same sex as you.

Examples:

“I don’t rent to gays. It’s just against my personal beliefs.”
“No, I won’t add your girlfriend to the lease. Two women shouldn’t be together.”
“I don’t have any issues with you being gay. I’m just worried about the other tenants’ safety.”
Disparaging or making “jokes” about you or others because of being gay.

What to do

If you think you were discriminated against in housing, you have choices for what to do. See our Housing Discrimination: What To Do page.

Discrimination seriously harms the people who are discriminated against and made to feel unwelcome. But discrimination affects everyone. It keeps us from living in diverse, inclusive communities.