It might not make the news very often, but housing discrimination against gay people is a huge problem in the US: In 29 states, there are absolutely no laws protecting your gay friends from being evicted or denied access to housing just because of who they are. A whopping 35 states don’t protect your trans friends either.

Worse still, imagine getting kicked out of an apartment where you’ve lived for years because the landlord finally realized you and your boo weren’t “roommates.” Married to your sweetheart? Still not in the clear. Even though it’s been illegal to practice housing discrimination on the basis of marital status since the federal government passed the Fair Housing Act in 1968, you have no basis to fight the injustice because that same federal government won’t recognize your marriage.

That’s exactly what happened to one North Dakota couple, whose story is unfortunately far from unique:

Gina Powers has her own example of why North Dakota needs anti-discrimination protection for gays and lesbians. She and her partner, Steph Rindy, were booted from their West Fargo apartment once their landlord discovered Steph wasn’t a man. It was just before Christmas, about seven years ago, Powers said. “He literally came to our door, knocked on it, and said, ‘Yeah, you guys are out of here,’” Powers said. “I contacted my attorney, who assured me we had, really, no rights because we were being told to leave with no reason other than our orientation.” (via The Bismarck Tribune)

This landlord was acting legally. The law says he can kick Gina and Steph out for absolutely no reason except their orientation. Despite admitting his discrimination outright, he’s within the bounds of the law.

There are few human needs more basic than the need to have a safe, warm roof over one’s head. The UN even includes housing as part of its Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Right now, 29+ states aren’t treating your gay friends as fully human.

Take Action: “Like” and share this article. Raise awareness about the widespread housing discrimination your gay friends face. If enough of us make noise about this, we can make real change happen faster.

For more information on the real-world effects of housing discrimination against LGBT Americans, the Center for American Progress has wonderful resources on “Gay and Transgender Discrimination Outside the Workplace.”