The REALTOR Party, human rights & the Code of Ethics

This post originally appeared at http://activerain.com/blogsview/4322560/the-realtor-party-human-rights-the-code-of-ethics

Most of us in the profession belong to local and state Associations which make political contributions via PACs.  These organizations donate to a variety of candidates, presumably from each party.  In Texas, our PAC has a policy of contributing to the "Friendly Incumbent".  Meaning if the person in office has voted for pro-real estate legislation then they get our endorsement and PAC money in the next election.  All other considerations are said to be off the table.

My question is, how bad does a pro-real estate candidate have to be to lose our endorsement?

For example, if two candidates in the same race have pro-real estate histories and the incumbent is against interracial marriage, do we contribute to the incumbent?  Not only is discrimination illegal in housing, it is violation of our Code of Ethics.  Yet in the "friendly-incumbent" system this candidate would win our endorsement and money. In Texas just about every statewide candidate is pro-real estate issues and in many races we have no incumbent to choose from.  Several offices have incumbants who are termed out or hoping to move up.  On real estate subjects they are equal, but on issues of discrimination against the LGBT community, there is a vast difference.

Article 10 REALTORS® shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. REALTORS® shall not be parties to any plan or agreement to discriminate against a person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. (Amended 1/14) REALTORS®, in their real estate employment practices, shall not discriminate against any person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. (Amended 1/14)

Here's a Real Estate fact:
* LGBT couples and individuals buy homes, pay taxes and are protected by the Code of Ethics under (Article 10).
* Texas is ranked second in the nation by population for LGBT citizens, behind only California.  Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth & Austin have well-organized communities and advocacy groups.

I also suspect there are a large number of LGBT Realtors & Brokers out there too.  We are your clients and your colleagues and the candidates our Texas PAC endorses over and over use our families as fodder for voters.  It's insulting and discriminatory and at some point it must stop.

I am a proud member of the National Association of Gay & Lesbian Real Estate Professionals.  Much as the Woman's Council of Realtors was designed to advocate for women Realtors and clients, this organization is dedicated to the protection and advancement of LGBT issues, agents and customers. 

So I ask, how bad does a candidate have to be before they lose our endorsement?  Who is it still okay to discriminate against while our industry and our political action committees take our donations and look the other way? 

Bob McCranie
Broker/Owner
Texas Pride Realty
CRS, GRI, GREEN, AHWD
Winner 2010 NAR EverGreen Award
2009 Dallas CRS of the Year
2009 GLBT Chamber of Commerces Business Person of the Year