LGBT fraternity enters campus life (http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/campus/article_92cecb0c-190a-11e3-8823-0019bb30f31a.html)
Kelsey Hughes, September 9, 2013 1:04 am
The goal is to break the mold, which shouldn't be too difficult for a group of students accustomed to doing just that.
Striving to be inclusive rather than exclusive, this university's new LGBT fraternity, Theta Pi Sigma, promotes diversity in Greek life by catering to LGBT students and their allies.
"There is a perception in Greek life that you want a certain type of person," said Aubrey DiBello, president of this university's Epsilon chapter of Theta Pi Sigma. "We're celebrating the fact that we're different."
This all-inclusive gender-neutral fraternity will be the first of its kind on the campus and the fifth in the country, members said. The original chapter, formerly known as Delta Lambda Psi, was founded at the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 2005, according to the fraternity's official website.
Even though Theta Pi Sigma focuses on LGBT issues, students don't have to identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender to join. The fraternity is open to anyone who is an ally and cares about these issues, said Shira Steinberg, secretary of this university's chapter of Theta Pi Sigma.