Taken from the CSULB Greek Life cite: Important Links....
On November 13-16, 2008, for the first time ever, the Lambda 10 Project- National Clearinghouse for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Fraternity & Sorority, will participate in a national conference surrounding issues on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression within the college fraternity/sorority. The conference will be held on the campus of DePaul University in Chicago, IL.
This link was posted by the CSULB Greek Chapter Management in the Panhellenic Association and the Interfraternity Council (IFC) to guide students who may have questions regarding gay and lesbians in their brotherhood or sisterhoods who may not know how to handle situations.
I think this a great opportunity for students to interact with other fraternities and sororities across the nation, that have a fraternity brother/sorority sister that is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Most fraternity and sorority nondiscrimination policies and educational efforts neglect to discuss sexual orientation. As a result, many fraternity brothers and sorority sisters more than likely have never knowingly encountered someone who is gay, lesbian, or bisexual and may not know what do when they learn a brother or sister is gay, as explained by Shane L. Windmeyer, a public speaker for the Lambda 10 project. Such lack of knowledge and preparation perpetuates the ignorance and fear surrounding homosexuality and jeopardizes brotherhood/sisterhood for both gay and straight brothers and sisters.
I think this a great opportunity for students to interact with other fraternities and sororities across the nation, that have a fraternity brother/sorority sister that is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Most fraternity and sorority nondiscrimination policies and educational efforts neglect to discuss sexual orientation. As a result, many fraternity brothers and sorority sisters more than likely have never knowingly encountered someone who is gay, lesbian, or bisexual and may not know what do when they learn a brother or sister is gay, as explained by Shane L. Windmeyer, a public speaker for the Lambda 10 project. Such lack of knowledge and preparation perpetuates the ignorance and fear surrounding homosexuality and jeopardizes brotherhood/sisterhood for both gay and straight brothers and sisters.
A fraternity brother/sorority sister comes out to you... what do you say?
* Listen to what your brother/sister has to say and try to keep an open mind
* Understand the personal risk he/she took in telling you and if you are confused,
honest about your feelings. Realize he/she trusts you.
* Realize your brother/sister has not changed. you may be shocked, but remember
that he/she is still the same person he/she was before he/she came out to you
* Respect his/her choice to tell you by letting him/her know you will not tell anyone
he/she is gay until they are ready
* Feel free to ask them question in an open manner to better understand him/her. Do
not shy away from them
This was an excerpt taken from "Out on Fraternity Row: Personal Accounts of Being Gay in a College Fraternity," edited by Shane L. Windmeyer and Pamela W. Freeman. To read more on LGBT in a fraternity/sorority on campus, visit Interesting Greek Factoids at the Lambda 10 Project Website.
Factoids:
*** Today there are over 900 million men and women who have joined college fraternities and sororities. There are currently 750,000 undergraduate fraternity and sorority members with 12,000 chapters on 800 college campuses across the United States & Canada
Greeks become leaders beyond campus:
*48% of United States Presidents are Greek.
*42% of the United States Senate is Greek.
*30% of the United States Congress is Greek.
*40% of the history of United States Supreme Court Justices are Greek.
*30% of Fortune 500 Executives are Greek.
*30% of the United States Congress is Greek.
*40% of the history of United States Supreme Court Justices are Greek.
*30% of Fortune 500 Executives are Greek.
