Everything You Need to Celebrate Pride Month in 2023!

June is Pride Month! We work to support the LGBTQ+ community in real estate, fight discrimination and encourage equal and Fair Housing for everyone.

Learn the in-depth history of the LGBTQ+ community throughout the U.S., courtesy of the History Channel, here. Also, check out the ultimate LGBTQ+ Chicago guide from Choose Chicago here.


Complete the Ally Certificate Program

Our Industry Partner, the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, offers and Ally Certificate Course! Virtual classes are taking place on June 8 and June 29. Register to save your seat!


LGBTQ+ Protections in Real Estate

In addition to sexual orientation and gender identity being protected classes in Chicago and Cook County, Article 10, mandated by the NAR’s Code of Ethics states:

REALTORS® shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

However, the law still allows discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in 27 states. This allows legal discrimination which can cause barriers to homeownership, obtaining a loan, renting, and more.


Pride & Policy


Your Guide to Pride Celebrations Around Town

Visit Choose Chicago for a full list of Pride events.


History of Northalsted Neighborhood in Chicago

In seeking to recognize the neighborhood as an epicenter of LGBTQ+ culture, Chicago’s former mayor Richard M. Daley designated the neighborhood as America’s first officially recognized gay village in 1997.

In 1970, Chicago hosted its first-ever Pride parade and the LGBTQ+ community in Chicago also began opening its first health centers, community centers and bars during this time, increasingly coalescing around the area.

Today, Northalsted is one of the country’s most inclusive LGBTQ+ communities and the oldest officially recognized gay neighborhood in the entire country. In 2020, the neighborhood changed its name from Boystown to Northalsted.

Learn more about the history of the Northalsted neighborhood here and check out businesses and things to do around the Northalsted neighborhood here.


Visit The Legacy Walk

The Legacy Walk is an outdoor LGBTQ+ history exhibit in the city. This walk, which spans from 3245-3707 North Halsted Street, features 10 pairs of 25′-tall decorative steel “Rainbow Pylons” that define the nexus of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community.

As both the only installation and largest LGBTQ+ site of its kind, the Legacy Walk was declared a Historic Landmark in 2019! Learn more and schedule a tour here.


The LGBTQ+ Journey to Homeownership

This information was gathered from the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance’s 2023 LGBTQ+ Journey to Homeownership Report.

The top ways discrimination is seen in the real estate market are:

  1. Landlord/leasing agent discriminated against a prospective tenant
  2. Legal forms needing signatures that do not adequately represent the life experiences of potential homebuyers
  3. Seller discrimination
  4. Real estate professionals discriminated against a prospective tenant

Top reasons that LGBTQ+ renters continue renting, according to LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance members:

  • Belief that home prices are beyond their means
  • Trouble saving for a down payment
  • Need for more homebuying education

LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance members said the top barriers of entry for potential LGBTQ+ homebuyers are:

  • Home prices
  • Lack of downpayment funds
  • Lack of understanding of homebuying
  • Short-term financial concerns

LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance members said the top reasons their clients purchase a home are:

  • Long-term financial investment
  • Affordability
  • Didn’t want to pay someone else’s mortgage

Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills

There have been a variety of anti-LGBTQ+ bills across the nation, with more than 340 bills introduced in 2023 alone. In comparison, there were 315 discriminatory anti- LGBTQ+ bills in 2022 and approximately 191 in 2021.


Learn More About Our Industry Partner, the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance

The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance advocates for fair housing for all and promotes LGBTQ+ homeownership. It elevates professionalism in the industry through education and networking and celebrates diversity and inclusion in our members and allied partners.