[Kevin]

We're tossing around some pretty loaded words in here...

Homophobic -- Damasa put it perfectly... Overused and used incorrectly probably most of the time.

I think many people have gone so far as to say in a civil manner that they would not like gays as brothers. They find it to be immoral.

Just like a fella that steals and lies... it's on that same level with many people.

To stigmatize them as 'homophobic' is truly unfair. Perhaps they're not 'open to alternative lifestyles' but I think that phrase describes a different belief system altogether.

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I may be blind... but I'm seeing opinions on this subject being divided down lines of gender. Let me be so bold as to say at least in my personal experience it is different in fraternities than it is with sororities.

Attitudes towards alternative lifestyles are different. Especially with the 18-19 year olds we're trying to throw bids at during Recruitment.

I think the fear is that many 18-19 year olds would dump one house in favor of the 'straight' house is real. It seems almost inevitable.

This is I think a well justified fear among many houses that have not experienced this issue first hand. To preach (and yes, some in here ARE preaching) a doctrine at someone who is just looking out for their houses best interests is not fair. It's aggressive behavior and I don't believe you can change attitudes that way.

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Let's try to understand that many of us do not see this as such a black and white, good and bad type issue. It has many shades of grey. Many reactions for our actions. It is not fair to stand back from the action, not understanding the true implications of it and saying that what someone else does is wrong.

This issue is actually very complex for many of us.

Fortunately in many places the doors are open wide to ANYONE. Still, in other places in the name of image or competition they are not. This will change (or might not) as general attitudes change. Don't try and force it.

LHT
Kevin