Gender Identity, Expression, & Transgender

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity, expression or behavior is different from those typically associated with their assigned sex at birth, including but not limited to transsexuals, crossdressers, androgynous people, genderqueers, and gender non-conforming people.

Recent guidance issued by the federal government confirms that fair housing laws protect persons from housing discrimination due to their gender identity, gender expression, or for being transgender under the federal protection of gender. 

FHCCI Resources:

• FHCCI Transgender/Gender Identity in Housing Fact Sheet:
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Burmese

HUD/DOJ Guidance:

• HUD  Implementation of Executive Order 13988 on the Enforcement of the Fair Housing Act, February 11, 2021
• Executive Order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation, January 20, 2021
• HUD Final Rule on Equal Access in Accordance with an Individual’s Gender Identity in Community Planning and Development Programs, September 21, 2016
• HUD Guidance on Home Lending and Appropriate Placement for Transgender Persons in Homeless Shelters, February 15, 2015
• HUD Memo on Investigation of Complaints Regarding Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression, June 15, 2010
• HUD Guidance on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protection under the Federal Fair Housing Act, July 1, 2010
• HUD Final Rule on Equal Access to HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, February 2, 2012

Local Ordinance:

• Indianapolis/Marion County Ordinance (includes gender identity) (choose the link for Chapter 581)

Other Resources:

• • Action Steps to Being a Transgender Ally
  • National Center for Transgender Equality: Fair Housing and Transgender People Fact Sheet

Reports/Studies of Interest:

• • Transitioning Our Shelters: A Guide to Making Homeless Shelters Safe for Transgender People, 2006
  • Injustice at Every Turn – A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Study, 2011
  • On the Streets – The Federal Response to Gay and Transgender  Homeless Youth, 2010
  • Transcending Prejudice: Gender Identity and Expression-Based Discrimination in the Metro Boston Rental Housing Market, 2017