To put in my own two cents, I am currently a Freshman that is considering rushing in the fall. I am not what you would be a stereotypical gay man. I have many straight male and female friends and would love to be in a society with a great brotherhood (whether they be gay, bisexual, or straight) such as a fraternity. I would in no way intend to change the system, but instead seek understanding that I am a person like everyone else. I have no “radical gay agenda” and know no one else that has one. I do, however, know another bisexual freshman who was accepted into a fraternity, but is afraid to let his sexuality be exposed. Why should ANYONE fear exclusion from any organization in the world, especially America, because they are different? Exactly. They should not. Being in support of the equal treatment of an individual does not make you gay, nor does it even mean you support homosexuality. It shows that you are an educated person that can see that we are all in fact the same and should be treated that way.

A personal experience I had which involved a homosexual member of my fraternity will hopefully prove very instructive to this topic: Nobody knew Ron was gay when he first joined the fraternity, but several of us eventually found out…even though we told nobody else because we knew it could only cause problems for him & he valued the friendships he had there enough that he was willing to keep his homosexuality a non-issue, so he could continue his friendships and remain in the fraternity!! So everyone stayed quiet about the issue and Ron eventually went his own way and lost contact with most in the chapter members (myself included). When others learned of his premature death (under mysterious circumstances) at a subsequent class reunion, very few even suspected it was probably AIDS-related and nobody mentioned that possibility, since it couldnt be substantiated one way or another. Those who knew him well enough to know whether or not it might be AIDS-related never brought it up…out of respect for Ron.

If “don’t ask, don’t tell” is good enough for the military to function, then why would it not be good enough for a social group with traditional values like a fraternity or sorority to function as well? If someone’s homosexuality is such a major issue that they wouldnt be able to function well in a heterosexual fraternity/sorority, why would they not start or join a similar group for homosexual members or at least those who DON’T CARE about sexual preference? To join a traditional Greek organization with the intent of pushing for “acceptance” of how you choose to live is nothing more than blatant political activism…and often brings with it other elements of the radical gay agenda!!

Lastly, for those who believe homosexuals are one of the most “oppressed” groups, try talking to an EX-HOMOSEXUAL and learn some of their experiences of ostracism and harassment that they endured at the hands of ACTIVE, PRACTICING GAYS!! I’ve known some personally and they have some true horror stories to tell…

And Don, never in my experience as a Greek did the LGBT community try and dictate the way IFC or Panhellenic was run. This article talks upon “building a working relationship” and addressing “existing tension and lack of communication” between these two communities. With regards to your statement of LGBT students pushing their agenda on the Greek system, are you speaking from experience as a member of a Fraternity/Sorority as well?

The panel was designed to discuss the same issues you brought up in your post, and perhaps both of us could have learned something about each side if we both attended.

Why on earth would the USC fraternity system want to open themselves to a group which is looking for an opportunity to DICTATE how fraternity life will be governed?!? This is not a matter of being “accepted”…the agenda here is to incrementally force “gay rights” down the throats of heterosexuals!! Once “gay marriage” is legalized in California, the GLBTA will be pushing for fraternity-sanctioned gay wedding ceremonies, special events for “transsexuals” and other such key proposals that are part and parcel of the radical gay agenda!!

Start your own gay fraternity system and leave well enough alone…