Over the past few years, both real estate professionals and consumers have had to navigate a rapidly changing housing landscape. Commission lawsuits, representation agreements, affordability pressures, inventory shortages, brokerage consolidation and portal debates have all contributed to an industry that feels like it is constantly evolving in real time.
While the industry pivots and adjusts, consumers are still trying to navigate housing in an increasingly complicated world. People’s choices are often shaped by far more than just budget or location. Family dynamics, accessibility needs, identity, culture and even the desire to feel connected can all play a role in where and how people choose to live. As those factors shift, we as real estate professionals must keep pushing for a better understanding of our clients.
Community has always carried multiple meanings. It can refer to a geographic place or neighborhood, an identity-based group where people feel represented and connected, or even a professional network or organization advocating for an industry, like the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance.
Many communities still face barriers to housing access, homeownership and representation that are often overlooked in broader industry discussions. According to the Alliance’s 5th Annual LGBTQ+ Real Estate Report, LGBTQ+ homeownership remains well below the national average, with a homeownership rate of 49.8%, compared with 65.1% for the overall U.S. population. At the same time, fear of housing discrimination has nearly doubled as a perceived barrier to homeownership since 2022. The report also found that, for the first time since the Alliance began tracking this data, real estate professionals themselves were identified as the leading source of housing discrimination against LGBTQ+ consumers. Those findings may be uncomfortable, but they reinforce why advocacy, education and industry engagement still matter.
As anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric continue surfacing across parts of the country, many individuals and families are paying closer attention to where they feel safe, welcomed and supported.
As president of The Alliance’s Illinois chapter, I have seen firsthand the value of creating spaces where people can learn from one another, share perspectives and engage in these discussions constructively. The LGBTQ+ community is deeply intersectional. Understanding that complexity is essential to understanding the people we serve.
Another layer to this conversation is allyship. One of the biggest misconceptions about the Alliance is that someone has to identify as LGBTQ+ in order to participate. In reality, our allies are a vital part of both our organization and our broader industry relationships. The Alliance’s Ally Attraction initiative recognizes that many Realtors are also parents, family members, friends, colleagues and advocates within the LGBTQ+ community. If you are an ally, chances are someone in your own world is directly impacted by these issues as well.
The Illinois chapter has built relationships not only with local Realtor associations, but also with multicultural industry partners and other community-focused groups. These partnerships create opportunities to better understand both the people we serve and the challenges they face today. We’re also dedicated to strengthening leadership development and committee growth, and creating more space for members and allies to get involved.
Nationally, the Alliance continues advancing the connection between housing, advocacy, education and industry leadership through initiatives such as its annual LGBTQ+ Housing Policy Symposium in Washington, D.C.; fair housing advocacy, research and reporting; educational programming; and political engagement tracking. These efforts help ensure that the voices and experiences of LGBTQ+ consumers remain part of the broader housing conversation.
That is one reason why our chapter is especially proud to welcome this year’s LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance Future Forward Business & Networking Conference to Chicago. Our city has long been a place where people from different backgrounds have come together to build community, advocate for change and create possibility for everyone.
Real estate will continue evolving. But at its core, this business has always been about people — understanding where they come from; what they value; and what they need to feel safe, represented and at home. Organizations like the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance help bring those perspectives together, creating the relationships, leadership and support systems that strengthen both our industry and the communities we serve.
Brian Somera is president of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance’s Illinois chapter and a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty.