TRANSGENDER: NPHC and NALFO question

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by DiamondAthena

Well one main difference in Greek orgs versus other non-profits is our ability(501 c 10 status) to be able to discriminate based on gender or sex( obviously not co-ed fraternities)

University-based Greek organizations are 501(c)7s. And, that's not why you can discriminate based on gender. It's your Title IX exemption that allows that.

[DiamondAthena]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

University-based Greek organizations are 501(c)7s. And, that's not why you can discriminate based on gender. It's your Title IX exemption that allows that.

I stand corrected. But does anyone else think that this could be used to discriminate against transgendered individuals?

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by Ch2tf

Exactly. If we're going to stick with semantics it doesn't affect you as an APO brother. But from the perspective of a sorority IMO the distinction is valid.

What I'm saying is that, if the person understood that he would be a sister/soror in a given organization and he accepted that, I have no problem. The issue for legal females who identify as male is that their legal gender precludes them from joining social Greek fraternities. Of course, there are community-based LGBT Greek organizations, but that may not be what a person is looking for.

Assuming they meet all the qualifications of membership, I can say with certainty I would vote to accept a transgendered person that has made the transition from male to female.

However, you could only accept that person if she had been deemed "female" in a legal sense, through a court order to change the gender listed on the birth certificate and other documents. Otherwise, the organization would lose its exemption and be forced to become co-ed/non-exclusive.

Originally Posted by DiamondAthena

I stand corrected. But does anyone else think that this could be used to discriminate against transgendered individuals?

Only if the gender is legally changed.

[DrPhil]

preciousjeni, I appreciate that you are keeping the legal issue highlighted. That is much more objective than differing opinions on transgenderism, itself, and "why" someone would want to join XYZ if he is a he.

Of course even with legal changes transgendered people will be discriminated against in many, if not most, chapters if their transgenderism is known. That is still considered a form of deviance, in terms of deviating from what is considered the norm.