Usually, one of the first things you’ll hear when talking about real estate is that I’m not very fond of “REALTORS”.
Revisions to National Association of REALTORS Code of Ethics to provide equal rights for sexual orientation. (Andrew Beierle/sxc)
It isn’t so much the “title” or even the majority of practitioners in the market today — but the efforts of a few people that have soiled the name of our entire industry. However, today I’m proud to have that REALTOR pin on my lapel.
It has taken more than three years of hard work and effort by lots of people – led by Eric Kodner or LaPointe, Wisconsin – to bring about changes to Article 10 of the National Association of REALTORS code of ethics. The addition to the code includes “sexual orientation” making it unethical for any member of the National Association of REALTORS to discriminate against another person based on their sexual orientation.
The coolest thing to me is that this a rare thing to occur — the Association does not usually move ahead of governmental legislation. One long-term real estate broker from Philadelphia made a comment at NAR’s Mid-Year Conference that “this is historic. It is the first-time I’ve ever known the association to move ahead of the law.”
There is currently a bill – The Fair and Inclusive Housing Rights Act of 2010 – which would prohibit violation of ethics based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
It is important to note that until this become a law of the land, it isn’t going to have the power that the other protected classes enjoy. Violating the NAR’s Code of Ethics is bad – very bad – however they are unable to revoke a license. If or when it becomes the law of the land then it will be afforded much stronger implications.
