New fraternity to unite greeks

The greek system is getting a new and diverse addition Jan. 19 when Delta Lambda Phi starts up. This new fraternity will be open to men of all sexual orientations. Currently, fraternities do not refuse homosexuals a place in a house. Neither is there overwhelming support or encouragement of homosexual men in these houses as the book "Out on Fraternity Row: Personal Accounts of Being Gay in a College Fraternity," written by Pam Freeman, assistant dean of students shows. \nDelta Lambda Phi can help change the heterosexual nature of fraternity houses by openly speaking about and discussing the issues of homophobia that exist within the greek system.\nThis is not to say that homosexuals are discouraged or oppressed from joining and living in a fraternity. Open acceptance of homosexuals, however, is not evident. Freeman's book also shows that many gay fraternity men live in fear of revealing their sexual preference to their brothers. \nDelta Lambda Phi's openness about the topic is something that needs to occur across the greek system. \nDelta Lambda Phi has a difficult task ahead to make strides within the greek system. The new fraternity needs actively to recruit men of all sexual orientations. \nMost importantly, Delta Lambda Phi members cannot segregate themselves from the rest of the greek system. By creating this new and open house, they also take the risk of making it even harder for homosexual men to thrive within any other fraternity. \nWithout careful attention, having a house that is accepting of homosexual men will cause the other fraternities to ignore the issue of homosexuality and assume the place for a homosexual man is in the homosexual fraternity. But this is not a correct assumption.\nBy limiting homosexuals to one house, the largely heterosexual fraternity system will never learn to accept and welcome a diverse group of individuals as brothers. But Delta Lambda Phi's participation in events that unite the entire greek system and its open door to all students will enhance the inclusion of all.\nStaff vote: 14-6-4