Panel to address homosexuality in greek community tonight

The presence of gays and lesbians in fraternities and sororities is the focus of a Parent, Family and Friends of Lesbian and Gays discussion tonight.\nRecognition of homosexual people as a part of greek houses, and a need to recognize them in a responsible and helpful manner is the focus of the talk, which will be held at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 3800 E. Third St.\nPamela Freeman, assistant dean of students and director of the Office of Student Ethics and Anti-harassment Program, will speak about the issue of gays and lesbians in fraternities and sororities. \nFreeman is the co-editor of two books that deal with this issue, "Out on Fraternity Row: Personal Accounts of Being Gay in a College Fraternity" and "Secret Sisters: Stories of Being Lesbian and Bisexual in a College Sorority." The stories are drawn from greek members across the country, and they deal with the experiences of alumni, active greek members and even pledges. \n"It tells the story at a personal level of what it is like to come to value in that system, and it challenges people in the greek system to live-up to their standards," said Doug Bauder, coordinator of Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgendered Student Support Services. "There are horror stories and stories of real growth and understanding."\nFreeman's work does not focus on the negative, but looks to find the reasons why some students have terrifying experiences while others find their coming out within the system to be rewarding, Bauder said.\n"This helped me to see the value of the greek system if its members live-up to the values they espouse," Bauder said.\nTonight's discussion will provide information about how heterosexual and homosexual members can deal with and react to homosexuality within a house and throughout campus. Freeman hopes that the information she gives will help invalidate the myths about homosexuals. \n"It is important to break down these stereotypes and to truly look at people as individuals, not as labels," said Judy Schroeder, president of the Bloomington chapter of PFLAG.\nThis includes stereotypes of greek members, not just homosexual students. \n"Stereotypes don't work, and if ever there was a time to see that as a nation this is it," Schroeder said.\nThis topic is especially important to address with fraternities and sororities because of the shared living quarters of greek members. Fraternity brothers and sorority sisters eat and sleep within a close space. Ignoring or hiding the issue can damage the welcoming environment of a house.\n"This is a living situation where people have to live up to fears and fantasies," Bauder said. "When people sit down and have conversation, myths are blown apart."\nOpening up the issue also helps to form stronger friendships. A comfortable environment benefits more people than just homosexual members of a house. \n"(Heterosexual students) can benefit from and have a better relationship with someone who can be honest and be themselves," Freeman said.\nThe discussion tonight will help to further this by asking participants to confront the stereotypes and the problems that exist. \n"I think it will help them to get beyond their usual comfort zone of thinking and feeling about Greeks and gays," Schroeder said.