New Sorority

[Sugar_N_Spice]

Originally posted by MaMaBuddha
as usual i am all late....

the best form of flattery is imitation.

as a lesbian woman of color and a member of one of the largest african american sororities, i applaud these ladies for taking this major step into creating a social group for lesbian women.

ladies and gents, be mindful of what these ladies must have gone through when creating this sorority. personal jests at appearances should be just that...personal. some of the comments are coming out very tasteless.

this forum is for upliftment, encouragement and fun.

I give them props for creating such an organization, b/c obviously they felt the need for it...However, I feel that they could have been more "tasteful", classy, and business-oriented in doing so. Like, having a Smirnoff at their Exec Board Retreat? And their line names? That's tasteless and unprofessional. Just my opinion...My lesbian friends are not impressed by their lack of sophistication either...

But, to each his (or her) own...

[MaMaBuddha]

librasoul22...

i am not sure that i understand your question. please rephrase it thank you for the compliment!


not that i am a advocate of OEPI. they can keep on keeping on. the smirnoff bottle is not a big issue, nor are their lines names but these ladies are doing something in the gay/lesbian/transgender community. i think that is what really counts. they are covering issues in a community that none of the Divine 9 has ever stepped in, beside dealing with the AIDS issue.

[IndulgentEpp]

Greetings Members of Greek Chat:
My sorors informed me of Omicron Epsilon Pi being a topic of discussuion here so I thought that I would reply to some of the jests, insults and disrespect. I understand why AKA would be upset because of the IVY stance. I do apoligize for that.
1: Executive Board Retreat and Smirnoff(sp) issue
That picture was taken at a birthday party for one of my sorors
that was held the same weekend as the EB retreat.
2: The inverted triangle:
It is not intended to be a spin on the Delta pyramid nor a cooch as someone so eloqently stated. The inverted triangle is a long time symbol is the GLBT community.
3: Our colors:
Last time I checked colors are just that COLORS. Several organizations have similiar if not the same colors. Our colors we chosen because the also have roots in the GLBT community.
4: Our Line Names:
I am not sure why there was an issue with that.
5: Picture Day
People have lives to lead and sometimes you have to schedule certain events to get the results you need or want.
Everyone wonders why we came onto the scene. If you go through and read some of the reactions to us then you will see the need for our organization. I am more than happy to answer INTELLIGENT questions regarding my organzation.

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by IndulgentEpp
Greetings Members of Greek Chat:
My sorors informed me of Omicron Epsilon Pi being a topic of discussuion here so I thought that I would reply to some of the jests, insults and disrespect. I understand why AKA would be upset because of the IVY stance. I do apoligize for that.
1: Executive Board Retreat and Smirnoff(sp) issue
That picture was taken at a birthday party for one of my sorors
that was held the same weekend as the EB retreat.
2: The inverted triangle:
It is not intended to be a spin on the Delta pyramid nor a cooch as someone so eloqently stated. The inverted triangle is a long time symbol is the GLBT community.
3: Our colors:
Last time I checked colors are just that COLORS. Several organizations have similiar if not the same colors. Our colors we chosen because the also have roots in the GLBT community.
4: Our Line Names:
I am not sure why there was an issue with that.
5: Picture Day
People have lives to lead and sometimes you have to schedule certain events to get the results you need or want.
Everyone wonders why we came onto the scene. If you go through and read some of the reactions to us then you will see the need for our organization. I am more than happy to answer INTELLIGENT questions regarding my organzation.

1. Welcome to GC
2. Are you the founder, national president, or PR person?
3. Enjoy your stay

[IndulgentEpp]

You can say that I am the PR person for this particular subject.

[Sexy Mocha]

Of course, I can only speak for myself, but I'm almost certain this applies to the majority of folks who responded in this thread:

***Sexual Preference, the reason why the sorority came to exist, its purpose, and the issues that the members are covering ARE NOT the issue here.***

Without going back and reading each and every post, I think it is pretty safe to say the above mentioned was neither said nor implied.

Like someone so eloquently mentioned earlier, the issue was a matter of taste (or lack of it in this case). Some of the folks who have posted may have problems with other things such as colors, stances, hand signs, etc. all of which have absolutely nothing to do with the issues I mentioned above.

In my opinion all concerns expressed in this thread so far are indeed valid. As far as the comments on personal appearances and such... again most of the comments are addressing the issue of at least trying to show a bit of class and tastefulness.

[librasoul22]

MaMaBuddah, I pm'ed you. Upon re-reading my post, my grammar definitely left something to be desired, lol.

Indulgent, since you apologized for the ivy stance does that mean that your org will adjust it?

I am curious as to whether or not any of you actually pursued membership into a D9 sorority? (Not that it is my business, discretion and all of that, but how would you know about the level of prejudice within the orgs if you did not pursue membership?)

[DELTAQTE]

Mocha you hit it right one the head!(doing the V for victory sign)

I would also too like to know if some members didn't find what they needed in the NPHC sororities.

QTE

[IndulgentEpp]

I have seen first hand the level of discrimination that openly gay and lesbians individuals go through when applying into membership in a D9 org. As a crusader for GLBT rights I have run into more prejudice from African Americans that any other group.
I have also seen how friends of mine have had to hide themselves to be accepted by thier sorors and frats.
I am wondering about the taste issue. The Omicron site is very well put together and the information is concise. We are women that have dared to step on a limb to help our own community.
I am not able to speak for all my sorors but 3 of us are legacies of D9 sororities but we all chose to go a different route. The route that we chose will help us in the future just as the choices you all made will help you in the future.
Can someone please explain to me what they think is tasteless about us besides the fact that we are a sorority for lesbians.
By the way I personally made sure that the Ivy stance was never used again. Once again I am sorry for that but nothing else will I apoligize for .

[christiangirl]

This made me laugh. I saw this somewhere else on the net and it made me but now I'm just laughing.

[Sexy Mocha]

Originally posted by IndulgentEpp
Can someone please explain to me what they think is tasteless about us besides the fact that we are a sorority for lesbians.

Indulgent,

This comment is a bit outrageous. As I said before, sexual preference is not the issue here. It seems to me that no matter what is being said here, even when it is explained and elaborated on, it is being made to seem like it's an anti-gay/lesbian issue. This is not the case.
Once again, although you seem to want to adamantly believe this is about your organization being unfairly discriminated against for being a lesbian sorority...it is not.
It is about being tacky. Bottom line. No ulterior motives, no hidden prejudices, no anti-gayness going on, just straight up people making comments on what they perceive to be tasteless based on what we see on your website.
I can only speak for myself...but again....what I personally commented on was the Smirnoff bottle and one of your sisters who had on the half open blazer.
1) I did read your explanation of the Smirnoff bottle and I want to thank you for even clearing that up for me. But, without an explanation..just looking at the picture, "Why is there a bottle of liquor on the table at the Exec. retreat?" was a question that came to mind. That in itself maybe isn't that serious. Yes,you had a birthday celebration during the same weekend. The fact that the picture was chosen to go up on the website despite the Smirnoff bottle being visible was what I considered tacky. I know I like to enjoy a drink here and there just like everyone else, but if I had a 40 ounce of Budweiser on the table in a picture entitled "Boule 2002" up on my website...I would expect my sorors and everyone else to comment on the tackiness.
2) Your soror's half open blazer...shouldn't have been. It has nothing remotely to do with being anti-lesbian.
(I believe a few of the members had on the same type of blazer...I didn't comment on everyone...just her. ) It doesn't even have anything to do with size. It has to do with wearing something unflattering...something that you know you can not fit for a picture that will be on your organization's website.

I understand your concerns about what is being said on this thread, but please take them at face value and do not try to turn it into something bigger than it really is. Some things are just straight forward without any hidden agendas behind them, you know?

[prayerfull]

Originally posted by Sexy Mocha
...if I had a 40 ounce of Budweiser on the table in a picture entitled "Boule 2002" up on my website...I would expect my sorors and everyone else to comment on the tackiness.

Soror..you got that right!!!

Now...IndulgentEPP - - Welcome...We've been waiting for you. I am the person who, so eloquently, commented on your "triangle" hand sign resembling "a cooch".

My soror, Sexy Mocha, has already explained the reasoning behind some of our comments. I have no issues with a group of women organizing a sorority for lesbians. In fact, if that was all there was to it, then I'd simply say "kudos" and keep on walking. However, that is NOT what your organization has done. You have BLATANTLY adopted "something" from each of the D4 sororities...you can chalk the triangle thing up to a coincidence, but sorry, I don't buy that.

Further, your organization has represented itself on a PUBLIC website with a lack of regard for taste and class. You all put your own selves out there for public review. Sure, my sorors probably all had a drink or two at a Boule reception or some other conference. However, those pictures would surely not be on public display. It's all about representation.

I care not one bit whether or not you all are gay...though there are gay members in all of the D4 sororities. To my knowledge, none of our founding prinicples have anything to do with sexual orientation. Therefore, I'm still a little hazy as to the necessity of a new org. I am curious, however, about the reactions of your sorority sisters' mothers who are members of D4 orgs.

Also, what are your organization's community service projects? I see information regarding breast cancer awareness. What specific projects do your chapters have to promote this and other causes. Do you work with youth in your communities..and if so, are community organizations very "receptive" to your volunteerism?

Help me here...I'm actually trying to get a further understanding of your organization. Right now, I'm BLINDED by the open blazers and your sisters in MY SORORS' IVY STANCE. (though, I thank you for your explanation...the pictures are STILL on the website and need to be removed)

[MaMaBuddha]

IndulgentEpp,

one of my wonderful sorors posted something i thought was interesting and i am going to post a couple:



1. Never apologize for pursuing what makes you happy. Even if you need to quit your job, transfer schools or move across country, always do what you really want.

4. Never apologize for being successful. Only haters want to keep you at their level.

21. Never apologize for your taste in clothing. It's your style.

22. NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR CHANGING YOUR MIND.

25. Never apologize for being you.


thank you for visiting our forum.

[Sexy Mocha]

Here's another one:
(This is geared more towards everyone else)

Never apologize for expressing your feelings. When you do so, you apologize for the truth.

[Eirene_DGP]

IndulgentEpp,

I don't think anyone on here was trying to "attack" you or your organization, but sometimes what might apprear as a personal attack could actually be constuctive criticism. My sorority is not Divine 4, BUT, we have to remain on our toes so our sorority can be the best it can be. There are a few things that we or any sorority for that matter, should keep in mind when representing their org. For one, we all want to represent our orgs. in the most positive light as well as our sisters. If we wear clothing (while representing the sorority) that makes us appear "hoochie" that is what people will associate the rest of us as. Being in a sorority, we do represent class and sophistication. As some other people mentioned, you don't want to have any kind of ambiguity between class and distastefulness. Second, with the issue of drinking, a lot of new orgs make the mistake of putting pics on their website that have "bottles". Just keep in mind that the internet reaches a ton of people everyday and a lot of people already think all Frats and Sorors do is drink, we don't want to add any more fuel to the fire and receive unwanted attention. Although there is little unity in the greek community, outsiders see us as the same. So not only are we representing our orgs. but the greek community as a whole.