New Gay Fraternity & Sorority Research Focuses on Experience of LGBT Members

CHARLOTTE, NC (December 3, 2007) – The Lambda 10 Project National Clearinghouse for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Fraternity Sorority Issues released results and a set of strategic recommendations from the first-ever national formal research exploring the LGBT experience within fraternities and sororities from 1960 to 2007.

Results published in the Lambda 10 Project report suggest that fraternity and sorority organizations are more welcoming of LGB members today than in the past. Over 75% of the respondents were "out” to members of their fraternity/sorority, with current undergraduates reporting that they were more "out" (83%) than their alumni/ae counterparts (25%). The study also indicated the main reason LGBT people join fraternities and sororities are for “friendship” and that a significant number of these students are involved as leaders in their respective chapters.

“Overall the research is very encouraging and echoes the change in attitudes from younger generations to be more open-minded and inclusive of LGBT people,” said Sue Rankin, Ph.D., the lead researcher for the study. “However, as the results suggest, we still have some work to do given that over 50% of current undergraduate (n=98) respondents reported that the climate within their chapters was somewhat homophobic.”

Rankin and the team of Lambda 10 Research Associates responsible for the study believe that the results will be invaluable in developing educational resources and in advancing further research to assist fraternities and sororities in creating safer, more inclusive environments for their LGBT brothers and sisters. The published report lists a detailed set of recommended initiatives to assist campuses and chapters in fostering a more inclusive environment. Specific highlights include:

• Sponsor and support LGBT events that contribute to understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression issues.

• Develop policies and practices that are inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. This should go beyond the policy of non-discrimination and rather should consider how the organizations practice LGBT inclusiveness.

• Implement a zero tolerance policy for jokes, name-calling, and the display of demeaning images or messages in the fraternity/sorority regarding sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

• Develop a procedure for addressing harassing behaviors, including those directed at people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity/gender expression.

• Participate in climate assessment programs that measure whether the local fraternity/sorority chapter accepting of LGBT members and to explore the attitudes and perceptions of others.

• Participate actively in Safe Zone programs and consider ways to make the fraternity/sorority local chapter a Safe Zone.

• Enact a guest/alumni policy to communicate clearly that it is not acceptable to use demeaning language or harass members on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

The report released today by the Lambda 10 Project is the first-ever formal research of its kind and the largest national study to date. The research builds on the data from an informal assessment published by Case (1995). Four hundred and forty people who self-identified as either current or past fraternity and sorority members responded to the call to participate in February 2006. The participants included 347 men, 88 women and one transgender person.

“For over a decade, the Lambda 10 Project has been a visible force educating and advancing LGBT issues among fraternities and sororities,” said Lambda 10 Project coordinator Shane Windmeyer. “There is no doubt that fraternity and sorority members are future leaders,” Rankin added, “It is our hope that this report will continue to influence this leadership and serve as a further catalyst for change in fraternities and sororities.”

To download the Lambda 10 Project study published report titled “Experiences of LGBT People the Fraternities Sororities: From 1960 to 2007,” please go to www.lambda10.org/gaygreek. For more information about the Lambda 10 Project, please visit us online at www.lambda10.org or email info@lambda10.org.



About the Lambda 10 Project
Since 1995, the Lambda 10 Project has served as a clearinghouse for educational resources and materials related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in the college fraternity and sorority experience. The educational initiative is a part of Campus Pride (www.campuspride.org), the leading national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization for student leaders and campus organizations working to create safer, more LGBT-friendly learning environments at colleges and universities.