Seeking some help
 

What's Up people,

I found this site while trying to do an extensive search on fraternities. I attend a large school where there are no fraternities that suits me and my friends need. I am a gay minority male and as most people know, greek life, at least at my school, is not really gay friendly. I love Greek life and I feel as though it's not right that certain people should be able to do something they always wanted to because who they are sexually attracted to. I came here because I wanted some advice and information. One of my questions is how would I go about starting my own fraternity and two are there any gay/bi/gay friendly greek organizations out there. I have not found any. This is something that I have researched for almost a year now and still nothing. I would like to start my own fraternity for straight/gay/bi etc. Anyone would be accepted. If someone could please give me some useful advice and information, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

I would think that the "welcome" you would receive, or not, would depend on your campus. I attended a small, conservative, religious private school in Calif. that had several openly gay fraternity boys (in some of the biggest NIC fraternities), so would suspect on many campuses you would be accepted, though some might find it awkward. Of course there are certain areas of the country, or certain universities with already "traditional," "competitive" greek systems where you might find it more challenging. Good luck!

Lambda 10 Project at http://www.lambda10.org/ has complete resources on gay and lesbian issues in Greek life. Also, consider reading Out of Fraternity Row or Brotherhood: Gay Life in College Fraternities by Shane Windmeyer.

You may be surprised how open some of the traditional fraternities are to having gay members. Is there something specific that leads you to believe they wouldn't be? Also, there are several gay fraternities.

Are you serious?

What kind of research where you doing that didn't involve typing "gay fraternity" in google?

If you are black and Delta Lambda Phi or the others don't appeal to you, try Delta Phi Upsilon or Gamma Mu Phi.

And read Lazarus by Rashid Darden. I don't know him, but his novel is the bomb diggety, son.

Agreed. Texas, SMU, TCU, the SEC, some ACC, and the rest of the Big XII (schools that I know well)........he would have a very hard time. Challenging is an understatement.

My campus's chapter of Sigma Nu did a joint event with ODU-Out (a GLBT student organization) that brought in guest speaker Shane Windmeyer.

He gave a very informative presentation on how to promote tollerance and acceptance within the Greek community on one's campus, and he might shed some insight on Out-Friendly organizations.

I know within my college's chapter of my fraternity, we have brothers from all walks of life... straight, bisexual, gay (openly and others privately), and every ethnic and religious background you can think of. We embrace our diversity, and it has become our strength in recent months.

My reccomendation would be to explore this website and see if Shane offers any insight, and if not, approach Sigma Nu, as I know (from my experience as a brother) that our values encourage being true to oneself.

http://www.lambda10.org/outgreek/

Good luck to you!
-JCA

Ok, first.... I always wanted to be part of black frat for awhile, but once I saw how homophobic they were, I decided against. So i never really thought to look outside the traditional black fraternities at first. But my close friends strongly suggested against pledging because they just dont tolerate it, which is true, unless your closeted, which I'm not. The only greek I did come upon was Delta Lambda Phi and they seem cool. But thanks for your help

Thanks, I'll check that out

:mad: :mad: :mad:

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

If that is what you are looking for then do not be afraid and just go for it!

LMAO! :D Plug, plug.

?????

I love AKA's.... lol

ALL fraternities have SOME homophobic members. Perhaps the ones on your campus are pretty bad. But I know gay men in EVERY black fraternity and I really didn't appreciate the broad brush with which you painted us.

I am an openly gay Alpha and was OUT and proud before I was initiated.

If being part of a black fraternity wasn't really in your heart, then say that -- but don't say we're all homophobic because that just isn't the case.

LOL! Shane...

wow, that was never the case at all...! And I'm sorry you feel that way. But remember YOU ARE the exception! not the reality. Of course we know all people in fraterntities are not homophobic! I know. And I did not mean to suggest that. I know gay people in black frats also, and they weren't out. And it is very very rare that you will find that. This is an issue that I have looked into for the past 3 years so I know a lot about it. And actually being part of a black fraternity was definitely in heart! for a very long time, however, I refuse to be part of an organization where I'm not welcomed or accepted. I would rather be me first or join a frat where I'm welcomed with open arms! Thanks

You do what you feel best with! Period!:)

It is still your decission and yours only no one on this site!

What ever decission you make it is yours.:)

Interesting how all of the black frats are lumped into the homophobic catergory. I agree with some of the other posters that said that it depends on the University. Personally, there is one black frat that I know of who seems to have more and more openly gay members. I've seen them a couple of times (in a state down south) wearing their para. Maybe you should look a little harder. ;)

I also know openly gay greeks in BGLO's so after how many is it not considered an exception? Maybe individual members on your particular campus are 'homophobic', but be careful that you aren't just assuming they would not accept you- or that you are alone. I know exactly where you are coming from by saying you refuse to be a part of an organization where you are not welcomed. I am a white soRHOr of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, INC. and I would not have gone through the process if I didn't feel equal and accepted. I was worried about how people outside my organization would percieve me- but it doesn't matter what people think because I am comfortable in the organization, I have been welcomed, and I fully believe in my organization's purpose and accomplishments. I hope that you don't let anything hold you back from what you actually want to do- and that you find what you are looking for!