Pride Month gives us a chance to reflect and honor the sacrifices of LGBTQ+ trailblazers, celebrate the vibrant and diverse members of the LGBTQ+ community, and recognize that the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ equality continues on. While progress has been made, the need for Pride Month is very much still apparent. In 2022, nearly 3 in 10 [LGBTQ+] adults reported experiencing some kind of housing discrimination or harassment in the past year because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status. This includes being prevented or discouraged from buying a home, being denied access to a shelter, or experiencing harassment from housemates or neighbors. A new Gallup poll shows that overall support for LGBTQ+ rights in America has slid downward, after two decades of rising support. This is a stark reminder that the fight for equality is far from over.
Fair Housing Protections in Lorain County
Understanding Federal, State, and Local Protections
While federal, state, and local fair housing laws protect residents from housing discrimination, where you live can determine which specific protections are afforded to you, and some communities have stronger protections for LGBTQ+ residents than others. The federal Fair Housing Act protects all people living in the United States from discrimination in housing-related transactions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. In addition to these seven protected characteristics, Ohio’s fair housing law protects residents of the state from housing discrimination based on ancestry or military status. Municipalities have their own local fair housing ordinances, which may or may not offer additional protections.
Countywide Protections
Unlike Cuyahoga County, Lorain County does not currently have an ordinance explicitly protecting residents throughout the county from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. However, some courts have interpreted the Fair Housing Act to prohibit sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination under the sex protection. The landmark Supreme Court ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County affirmed that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is a form of sex stereotyping (or adverse treatment based on deviation from “traditional gender roles”). This decision has since been cited by courts interpreting the Fair Housing Act. While the law isn’t always as black-and-white as some might think, these types of legal interpretations have helped to advance fair housing protections for LGBTQ+ residents in recent years.
Local Protections
At the local level, there are a few municipalities within Lorain County that have added sexual orientation and/or gender identity protections into their fair housing ordinances. According to the 2025 State of Fair Housing in Northeast Ohio report, the City of Lorain and Sheffield Lake have protections making housing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation illegal. The City of Oberlin offers additional protections in their fair housing ordinance by explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. To find updated information on your city’s fair housing protections, check out our annual State of Fair Housing in Northeast Ohio report.
Join The Fair Housing Center at Lorain County Pride
At the Fair Housing Center for Rights & Research, we believe that housing is a human right and we are working to protect that right for all people. This Saturday, June 27th from 12-4PM, we will be at Lorain County Pride to show our support, connect with residents, and share important fair housing resources. You are invited to join us for this family-friendly event, which will be held on the North Quad, outside of the Oberlin Science Center. The event will include vendors, food trucks, music, dancing lessons, and a chance to celebrate Lorain County’s LGBTQ+ community! Tickets are not required and this event is open to all. To learn more about Lorain County Pride, please visit https://lgbtqloraincounty.org/events/loraincountypride2026.
What Can Residents Do if They Experience Housing Discrimination?
First and foremost, if you experience housing discrimination, we want you to know that you have rights. If you live in Lorain County, outside of the City of Lorain or Elyria, we encourage you to contact the Fair Housing Center for Rights & Research for assistance. While we cannot provide legal advice, our team can help you to better understand your fair housing rights, advocate on your behalf, and assist you in taking the appropriate next steps in order to resolve your issue. We can also make referrals to other advocacy organizations, if needed.
For the first time in decades, The Fair Housing Center does not have federal funding to assist residents in all communities throughout our service area with complaints of housing discrimination. While we hope this gap is only temporary, we are currently unable to provide individual assistance to Lorain County residents who live in the City of Elyria or the City of Lorain. If you have experienced housing discrimination in one of these cities, please reach out to the designated contact below to request assistance with your complaint:
- City of Elyria
- Ashley Scott, Community Development Director
- Phone: 440-326-1541
- Email: ascott@cityofelyria.org
- City of Lorain
- Edwin Garcia, Housing Division Manager, Department of Building, Housing & Planning
- Phone: 440-204-2303
- Submit completed complaint form by email: garcia@cityoflorain.org
You can find more information by visiting our website and clicking “Report Housing Discrimination” at the top of the page. No matter who you are, where you live, or who you love, you deserve fair and equitable access to the housing of your choice. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need help exercising your rights.