House Passes Amendment for Non-Discrimination in HUD Housing Programs

In an effort to eliminate discrimination within the HUD and DOT programs and raise awareness during pride month in June, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (D-California) proposed an amendment on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives requesting non-discrimination provisions and LGBT equality in federal housing and transportation programs. The amendment, H.R.2577: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 was passed with bi-partisan support on a 241 to 184 vote on Tuesday.

“No American should be fired or denied a job or place to live for being who they are or because of who they love,” Rep. Peters said. “Every American deserves to be treated equally and with dignity. My amendment would demonstrate that Congress is willing to lead on equality and fairness as we work toward full non-discrimination provisions for LGBT individuals.”

As of today, only 18 states including the District of Columbia have non-discrimination protections for LGBT communities that cover sexual orientation and gender identity in both employment and housing, Rep. Peters noted in his speech.

“That means that in a number of states an LGBT individual can get married in the morning and fired from his or her job or denied an application in the afternoon for no other reason than the change in marital status,” Rep. Peters said. “That is unacceptable and as a country that believes in equality for all people we must do better.”

Employment discrimination within the U.S. has been a problem for quite some time, one that President Obama had hoped to eliminate nearly two years ago, Rep. Peters says in a press release. In July 2014, the President signed an executive order that would prohibit employers from discriminating against those seeking employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Rep. Peters’ amendment, introduced May 27, 2015 would not allow the use of federal transportation or housing funds to be used in violation of the President’s order. Further, no federal contract will be awarded to a person or organization that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation of gender identity against either its employees or applicants for employment.

“As we look forward toward full non-discrimination we can help provide at least a small window of equality for all members of the LGBT community by passing this amendment,” Rep. Peters concluded. “I urge my colleagues to stand on the side of equality and against discrimination, support this amendment.”

Click here to view Rep. Peters' amendment.

Click here to view the official final vote for the amendment.