The City of Pittsburgh’s Commission on Human Relations is conducting a research survey to better understand the prevalence and impact of housing discrimination faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals. The insights gathered through this survey will play a crucial role in enhancing the enforcement of fair housing laws and ensuring that everyone in our community has access to safe and equitable housing.
The survey, which is now live, invites members of the LGBTQIA+ community to share their housing experiences including renting, owning or buying a home, and in the emergency and transitional shelter system. The Commission hopes to learn about housing discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in Pittsburgh, as well as discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people but based on other factors like race or age. The survey is accessible online at lgbtqia-rights.house and offers eligible participants the option to enter into a raffle as thanks for participation.
There is a supplemental art-making component of the project, which invites creative responses to the same topics, asking members of the LGBTQIA+ community to share their housing story, explore the meaning of queer home, and bring to light housing discrimination in person or online through art. You can find the Mobile Zine Activity on the project website and in person at the QMNTY Center on the North Side. (525 E Ohio St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Open noon–10 pm on weekdays.)
The survey and Mobile Zine Activity are being conducted with support from Outwith Studio, a queer- and trans-led urban planning and research firm.
The Commission investigates instances of discrimination in the City of Pittsburgh and seeks resolutions for anyone who has experienced harm because of discrimination. If you, or anyone you know, has experienced differential treatment in employment, housing, public accommodations, or the provision of City services based on your status in a protected class, contact the Commission at 412-255-2600 or human.relations@pittsburghpa.gov.