Gay fraternity guys
JUSTICE FOCUSED, QUEER INFORMED
Delta Lambda Phi was founded by queer men to unwrap the fraternity experience to all men and nonbinary collegians who share our values of justice, service, excellence and more. Locate out if our mission, vision and values resonate with you.
our values
BRYAN J.
Virginia Tech
Urban and Regional Planning, 2023
"I have always wanted to be a part of fraternity life. After transferring schools, I was given the opportunity to participate in greek life in a way that would be supportive and uplifting. I love how different we all are from each other. Both externally and internally, no two of us are the same. This leads to exposure to adj groups, hobbies, interests, and cultures. I have learned so much about the world from my brothers and am so glad I am able to share in their experiences with them."
As the first fraternity founded by openly-queer men for men and nonbinary collegians of all sexualities and identities, Delta Lambda Phi has a legacy of working toward justice and building inclusive commu
On a cold, stormy September night in 2018, my 14 fraternity pledge brothers and I received this ambiguous text from one of our pledge masters:
“Tonight’s education meeting is canceled. At 11pm, you will all load into three of your cars and drive to the destination I send you. Transport a first aid kit, five jugs of rain, three shovels, and a triangular-shaped candle. Dress in all black.”
My mind raced with questions. What could this mean?
An hour later, my palms choked the steering wheel of my Ford pickup truck as I drove from our fraternity house at the University of Southern California toward an unnamed address in Manhattan Beach. In the car with me were four of my pledge brothers.
“It’s got to be beach-related,” said a brother from the back seat, his voice barely audible over the rain pounding on my windshield.
“Maybe it’s a residence party,” another suggested.
“It’s definitely not a house party,” the one in the passenger seat countered. “We’re getting hazed tonight, boys!”
A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach. This moment, shrouded in uncertainty, mirrored
Recently, it has come to my attention that more and more openly gay men are joining fraternities. As a first-generation, gay student from the rural North, I understand the appeal of joining a fraternity. I’ll be loyal, I even tried — to no avail — to rush as a sophomore. Finally being accepted by a group of masculine straight men would be a dream approach true to a adj gay kid who never fit in. Gay people throughout time have had to make their retain families, and I perceive the appeal of wanting a group of friends you can call your “brothers.” But that is the same reason I am glad I did not receive a bid. I realized that I was trying to arrive a sense of hyper-masculinity or aggressively male behavior that I felt I lacked for being gay. This internalized homophobia is a struggle for many younger gay men. It is also why I believe so many younger white gay men are joining fraternities now.
But, is that sense of validation worth contributing to a system with a history of violent racism, homophobia and misogyny? The other day I watched a TikTok where an openly gay white fraternity brot
A Rainbow in the Frat House: A Gay Man's Exploration of Greek Life
Going to college for many is seen as very challenging and fearful, but for me, it was a great escape. Coming from a small rural town in North Carolina and being gay came with more challenges than one could assume. Moving to college was an adventure that was the beginning of finding people like myself, those who only saw people for who they are rather than their identity. On my first day at Virginia Tech, I immediately felt that everyone around me was so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, eager to discover the mysteries of living amongst your peers as an adult. During the fall season, amongst move-in, the beginning of classes, football games, and meeting new people, everyone agrees that this drive makes the air undergo exciting. For me, even at some points, it was draining trying to keep up with all these events. However, I knew I was determined to find myself at a school that never seemed to sleep.
During move-in, I settled into my dorm and immediately went into the common area to talk to as many people as pos