Students at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville welcomed the addition of a new fraternity this past fall. The fraternity, Delta Lambda Phi, is in many ways just like every other Greek organization at SIUE, with its members focused on philanthropy, kinship and academics.
There is, however, one defining difference between Delta Lambda Phi and the eight other fraternities at SIUE: all seven current members and its three pledges are gay.
While Washington University does not house a chapter of the fraternity and plans are not in the works to form one, joining Delta Lambda Phi might still be an option for interested students. The colony at SIUE offers membership to any college student in the St. Louis vicinity-a practice that Director of Greek Life Karin Johnes cited as rare.
“I think it’s great that they have this opportunity,” said Johnes. “It’s great for students there…most fraternities don’t make membership open to students at other institutions.”
Although membership to Delta Lambda Phi is open to heterosexual men, the nationwide interest in the fraternity has remained primarily homosexual since its foundation in 1986.
With 19 chapters and eight colonies across the country, Delta Lambda Phi is the first and largest gay fraternity in the United States. The colony at SIUE, however, is the only one based in or around Missouri and Illinois.
Despite the large numbers of students eligible for membership, it has been difficult for the fraternity to recruit pledges. Interest in Delta Lambda Phi thus far, members say, is nothing to brag about, even though actions are being taken to respect the privacy of members that have not yet come out to friends or family. In order to reach full chapter status, the SIUE colony needs at least 12 members, which is a goal it has not yet accomplished.
Members blame some of the lack of interest on stereotyping. They believe that there are incorrect and negative associations attached to the idea of a homosexual fraternity that Delta Lambda Phi is having trouble overcoming.
“There are people out there who think we sit around, drink beer and have sex with each other,” said one fraternity member to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
In addition, even among those students interested in the fraternity, there are incorrect ideas about having to be out and open about their sexualities. Members said that it takes a great deal of courage to be associated with the fraternity.
Many students and faculty members at Washington University believe there is not a strong desire for a gay fraternity here because the current Greek system is very inclusive. According to Johnes, anti-gay sentiment on campus “has not been a problem [she has] ever even remotely picked up on.” Johnes said that the University’s fraternities provide atmospheres comfortable for many students, regardless of sexual orientation.
Greek life and sexuality, however, remain hot topics of discussion. Spectrum Alliance is planning a discussion on the intersections of Greek life and homosexuality scheduled for Wednesday, March 17. Xopher Pollard, president of Spectrum Alliance, declined to comment on the issue at this time, wanting to speak with the group further before releasing a statement.