S.O. wearing badge

john1082 · #1 11-15-2006, 05:22 PM

I always thought of women and the Fraternity identity in the context of badges, not letters. But the above exchange just shed some light on a recent discovery that I made - the tombstone of a woman that had the Greek letters LXA inscribed thereon.

More to be revealed later.

Tom Earp · #2 11-15-2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john1082

I always thought of women and the Fraternity identity in the context of badges, not letters. But the above exchange just shed some light on a recent discovery that I made - the tombstone of a woman that had the Greek letters LXA inscribed thereon.

More to be revealed later.

WOW Brother john!!! A new reveliation?

As many said so well, adorning a Female with Our Badge or Letters is a very serious thing for sure.

It or they are or should not be given lightly!

We have strived, worked, and sweated to wear Our Badge and Letters as many before us have.

iMAX386 · #3 11-16-2006, 04:46 AM

I know that Herff Jones sells the miniature versions of our badge that you asked about in the original post. They were selling them during this summers General Assembly. They're not that much smaller though and I easily mistook them for the actual full-size badge while I was there.

HONKY660 · #4 11-16-2006, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMAX386

I know that Herff Jones sells the miniature versions of our badge that you asked about in the original post. They were selling them during this summers General Assembly. They're not that much smaller though and I easily mistook them for the actual full-size badge while I was there.

I've seen them on the jewlery order form things they give when they send the paedagogus's and constitutions for AM's. Just a bit noticeably smaller than the regular badge. I too "dropped" my girlfriend of 4 years, same as lavaliering. I asked the entire chapter for permision too, never have I gotten so much shit for something in my life. Very serious thing for my chapter. She too had her candlelight ceremony, made her other sorority sister mad because she hadn't been dropped and she was engaged to our president. My mom has a letter shirt that says mother over the letters. I don't really mind if girls wears letters or jackets, but I think giving a lavalier or badge would be pretty serious. Hard to think about giving another male a badge or lavalier though.

Ottor 246 · #5 11-16-2006, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HONKY660

Hard to think about giving another male a badge or lavalier though.

I agree. The idea of giving a badge or letters to a man who is not a brother rubs me the wrong way. If a man wants to wear our letters, why can't he join the Fraternity and get them the same way we did? Giving a badge to a woman puts her "under the protection of the Fraternity." Presumably, a man should be able to protect himself.

After all, the original provisions are for giving badges exclusively to women. Mothers, but not fathers. Sisters but not brothers. See where I'm going?

Mark

john1082 · #6 11-16-2006, 01:48 PM

I don't want to intrude into the realm of Fraternity law but it would seem to me that the word 'fiance' is the problem. How is the word defined? I don't think that Webster's defines it as ONLY the female half of the relationship.

In a jurisdiction that permits gay marriage then arguably there are two guys, each of who is the fiance of the other.

Under our present statute it would seem that giving a badge or lavalier to the non-member guy in the relationship would be permitted as he would qualify as a fiance. We all know what the INTENT was but the present day result of this old language could give an unintended result.

I know that there are Brothers who are gay. I know that many are in long term relationships. I have been to Fraternity functions where partners have been in attendance and welcomed openly. The world has changed.

But I can clearly see the ambiguity if a guy, who isn't a Brother, shows up wearing a badge or letters.

Perhaps a change is needed to the C&SC to address this. I don't think it could be gender based unless we want to risk a lawsuit in the future. We may see the use of the friendship pin in place of the badge or letters - that would be the simple solution.

EM1843 · #7 11-17-2006, 09:46 AM

I just checked Webster's online and they define fiance as "a man engaged to be married," so it would seem to be defined as only the male half of the relationship. I see both sides of the argument. Balancing the possible confusion against those whom our brothers care about is difficult at best.

I think if the husband of a brother really wants to wear our badge he should commit himself to helping the chapter in order to be an honorary initiate.

Cube TX · #8 11-29-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HONKY660

I too "dropped" my girlfriend of 4 years, same as lavaliering. I asked the entire chapter for permission too, never have I gotten so much **** for something in my life. Very serious thing for my chapter. She too had her candlelight ceremony, made her other sorority sister mad because she hadn't been dropped and she was engaged to our president.

Well, I was around during that time Honky. The sorority sister in question who got all mad broke up with our brother about a week before their wedding, so in the end her getting upset over the drop was a distant memory.

The guys bugged you about the whole drop thing because your then-girlfriend was an easy target for the guys. Remember that she was always having to put up with the guys even before you two hooked up. Had it not been you and she then I doubt the guys would have made such a stink about it all.

Hmmm... did ANY of the couples from college stay together? All of those "serious" relationships sure ended in some ugly ways.

GammaZeta · #9 11-29-2006, 05:17 PM

Amazingly our chapter has had success in producing long term relationships.

One brother just recently got married to his sorority sweetheart that he met while associating with LXA.

There are also numerous other marriages and possible marriages that came out of our chapter.

I guess it's just luck I guess.

docroc67 · #10 11-29-2006, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cube TX

Hmmm... did ANY of the couples from college stay together? All of those "serious" relationships sure ended in some ugly ways.

Brother Cube,

Yes, Indeed! I meet my wife at a Lambda Chi party, she eventually became our Crescent Queen, we got married, and we will celebrate our 40th anniversary next August!

So, it can work out....

Yours in ZAX,

Mike Raymond,
Z-U Zeta

HONKY660 · #11 11-30-2006, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cube TX

Well, I was around during that time Honky. The sorority sister in question who got all mad broke up with our brother about a week before their wedding, so in the end her getting upset over the drop was a distant memory.

The guys bugged you about the whole drop thing because your then-girlfriend was an easy target for the guys. Remember that she was always having to put up with the guys even before you two hooked up. Had it not been you and she then I doubt the guys would have made such a stink about it all.

Hmmm... did ANY of the couples from college stay together? All of those "serious" relationships sure ended in some ugly ways.

Mielke's nasty broken engagement ended working out better for him, he found a nicer girl that wasn't in a sorority and now he has twins. As for me, I'm better off without her, and she's whore now anyways, you have probably heard the stories about her.

Tom Earp · #12 11-30-2006, 04:11 PM

LOL, reminds me of My Ex who was in a Sorority, Not to be named, and moved in with a Fraternity Brother from my chapter. We were both Alums and when I found out he was worried.

Well, she moved out on him as he was crazier than me!

He was worried I was upset.

Da!

Told him hey B, one gets married and maybe gets divorced, but We are Fraternity Brothers for life.

He and I are still good friends, have no clue where ex is!

Cube TX · #13 12-05-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HONKY660

Mielke's nasty broken engagement ended working out better for him, he found a nicer girl that wasn't in a sorority and now he has twins. As for me, I'm better off without her, and she's whore now anyways, you have probably heard the stories about her.

Actually Mielke's wife, Patricia, had triplets but one sadly didn't survive the birth. His ex-fiancee moved to Washington DC and is destined to probably be the next scandal for the White House in 2010 or so.

By the way, it was good to see you on Saturday. I think I gained 20 pounds eating all those burgers. Yes, I have heard the stories about your ex... mostly from YOU, heheheheh.

I went out with a few Chi Omegas, but never anything serious. It's good that so many guys from other chapters went on to marry their sorority member sweethearts... unfortunately our chapter didn't have that kind of success. I honestly can't name a single one of the guys from our chapter who is still with his old college flame. It seems like they all had some UGLY breakups.