COACH’s Pop Quiz!

Question: A male resident has reported that your maintenance man has been sexually harassing him. Your community could be liable for sexual harassment if you fail to take appropriate action to investigate and resolve the complaint. True or false?

Answer: True. Federal fair housing law protects both men and women from sex discrimination, including same-sex sexual harassment. Whether motivated by sexual desire or by hostility toward a particular gender, sexual harassment is unlawful—even if the harasser and the victim are of the same sex.

For more information, see the October 2011 Fair Housing Coach, “Complying with Fair Housing Rules Banning Sex Discrimination,” available in our online Archive.