Are Shawn and Dennis protected under fair housing laws based on their sexual orientation?

The correct answer highlights the protections provided at the state level for individuals based on sexual orientation. In Maryland, the state fair housing law explicitly includes sexual orientation as a protected class. This means that individuals cannot be discriminated against in housing practices due to their sexual orientation.

While federal fair housing laws, outlined in the Fair Housing Act, do not explicitly protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation, many states, including Maryland, have chosen to expand these protections within their own legal frameworks. Therefore, under Maryland law, Shawn and Dennis are indeed protected based on their sexual orientation. This focus on state law emphasizes the importance of understanding local regulations which can offer broader protections than the federal standard.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the specific legal landscape regarding fair housing protections. Federal law does not currently encompass sexual orientation as a protected class, which is why the first option does not apply. The second option would imply protections under both federal and state laws, which is inaccurate. The fourth option mistakenly asserts that there is no protection, overlooking the established state law that recognizes sexual orientation as a protected characteristic.