7th Circuit rules that Fair Housing Act protects against LGBT discrimination
A three-judge panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday, Aug. 27, ruled that the Glen St. Andrew Living Community in Niles, Ill., can be held accountable for not protecting Marsha Wetzel, a senior lesbian living there, from anti-LGBT harassment, discrimination and violence inflicted by other residents.
The appellate court’s decision overturned a lower court that had dismissed the case.
Karen Loewy, senior counsel and seniors strategist for Lambda Legal who is lead attorney for Marsha Wetzel, called the ruling “a tremendous victory” for Wetzel, adding that “just like all people living in rental housing, whether LGBT or not, should be assured that they will at least be safe from discriminatory harassment in their own homes.”
Wetzel herself said, “The court today struck a blow for me and for all senior citizens — gay or straight — who deserve to feel safe and to be treated with respect. That’s not too much to ask. No one should have to endure what I endured because of who I am.”
Read more: https://www.dallasvoice.com/7th-circuit-rules-that-fair-housing-act-protects-against-lgbt-discrimination-10257128.html
