Envision a world free of housing discrimination

Board of Directors of the Oklahoma chapter of The National LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance. Photo provided.

The National LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance vision is to create a more equitable and inclusive real estate industry for all

- by Robin Dorner
Editor in Chief

The National LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance was launched in June 2020 by leading real estate industry members. Influential real estate professionals and allies joined with other members of the LGBTQ+ community to create a new voice in real estate.

Oklahoma now has its first chapter of the National LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance.

"We are dedicated to assisting and educating our community in homeownership along with offering our support to local LGBTQ+ businesses and nonprofits to help them grow," said Keli Gillette, Vice President of the Oklahoma Chapter. She has been a Realtor in Oklahoma for 12 years.

As the national group was formed in 2020, their quest was to build the scope and influence of chapters locally, like the Oklahoma chapter, through partnerships with local nonprofits and through programming that integrates LGBTQ+ groups like NGLCC, PFLAG, NFHA, and state and local real estate associations. We seek to increase the awareness and understanding of issues and challenges that confront LGBTQ+ customers.

"We are so excited to have the opportunity to serve the LGBTQ+ community with this new organization," Gillette said. "We are faced with many challenges in the LGBTQ+ community, and we [The Alliance] want to do what we can to help with solutions to those challenges."

The mission of the Alliance Chapter Program is to provide local gathering points for LGBTQ+ and allied real estate and housing industry practitioners. According to their website, their goals are to "enrich members' lives through education and networking opportunities that cultivate and grow their businesses and enhance their professional lives. 

"We also aim to deliver rich advocacy and philanthropic platforms."

The Oklahoma Alliance board members are Craig Rogers, President; Keli Gillette, Vice President; Brett Friesen, Secretary; Glen Hubbell, Treasurer; Allan Dilley, Membership; Brooke Massey, Social Media; and Brande Sanders, at large member.

To join LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance: Oklahoma Chapter, visit tinyurl.com/REAOK and sign up. For information on the National organization, visit www.realestatealliance.org.

Like them on Facebook by searching The Alliance – Oklahoma.