Rep Congressman Dana Rohrabacher says it’s OK not to sell homes to gays; loses support of Realtors

The Orange County Register ^ | May 25nd 2018 | JEFF COLLINS

[Ennis85]

U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher told a group of Realtors last week that homeowners should be able to refuse to sell their property to gays and lesbians, a statement that cost him the support of a key national Realtor group.

“Every homeowner should be able to make a decision not to sell their home to someone (if) they don’t agree with their lifestyle,” Rohrabacher told an Orange County Association of Realtors delegation at a May 16 meeting in Washington, D.C., according to Wayne Woodyard, a former Orange County Realtor president who was at the event.

On Thursday, Rohrabacher confirmed the accuracy of the sentiment, and added that homeowners should have the right to “choose who they do business with.”

“We’ve drawn a line on racism, but I don’t think we should extend that line,” Rohrabacher said.

“A homeowner should not be required to be in business with someone they think is doing something that is immoral.”

The statement ignited a protest by a Realtor gay-rights group, prompting the National Association of Realtors to withdraw its recommendation that members send campaign contributions to Rohrabacher.

“It was determined that Rep. Rohrabacher will no longer receive support from NAR’s President’s Circle,” an association statement said, referring to its list of recommended candidates. Rohrabacher’s stance, the 1.3-million-member trade group said, is contrary to NAR’s code of ethics, which bans discrimination on the basis of “sexual orientation or gender identity.”

“We certainly hope that Congress will … support the elimination of housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The about-face occurred as the 15-term coastal Orange County Republican is locked in his toughest re-election campaign.

He’s facing 15 challengers, including eight Democrats as well as onetime political ally Scott Baugh, former Orange County GOP chairman.

[bankwalker]

There is no law mandating you have to sell.

That is true ... but if you do sell, there are laws ...

[Lurking Libertarian]

You could get away with that in certain states, but not in CA.

His district is coastal Orange County, which has always been solidly Republican. But OC voters, while generally wealthy and fiscally conservative, are more socially liberal than Republicans in other states. His district includes Laguna Beach, which is lesbian central.

[TBP]

Do the Realtors not believe in private property?

[DoodleDawg]

Funny how these realtors didn’t speak up about the lady who refused to sell her home to a Trump supporter.

Little double-standardish ain’t it.

Did the local Congressman publicly support her decision?

[DoodleDawg]

And it was necessary to take a position on this... why?

Wants to lose his election?

[DoodleDawg]

And (this is genuine curiosity) how often can discrimination actually be proved? Absent a sign that says "I don't sell to blacks" it seems like the standard of proof would have to be very low for anyone to actually be convicted.

Buying a home aren't you dealing through real estate agents until the deal is agreed to? Pulling out because the buyers are gay after accepting their offer would seem like pretty solid proof.

[DoodleDawg]

And my contention is that the law is unconstitutional because it violates my freedom to associate with whom I desire.

There are any number of Supreme Court decisions that say otherwise.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Why should a person care about whom they sell their house to?

Because they like or dislike their neighbors.

When we sold we gave priority to couples with children. It was what would fit the neighborhood.

And yes, that is who we sold to.

Now there are six houses in a two block area that have two or more children of elementary school age. Provides the children with a selection of playmates and gets them outside to play.