THE DAILY COLLEGIAN Gay greek chapters fade By keno Hutcheon COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER jihsooo@psu.edu While there are members of the greek community who are gay and lesbian, Penn State does not have fraternities or sorori ties for these groups. Those who led both organiza tions said there wasn't interest in having a fraternity or sorority that focused on providing an open community for gays and lesbians. The Penn State chapter of Lambda Delta Omega sorority closed this semester due to lack of membership. "It was tough [to close the sorority]," said former member Jennifer Woolson (sen ior-communications). Sorority President Kamilah Cole and Woolsen were the only remaining members of the sorority before it closed. Declining membership also caused the 2002 closing of Delta Lambda Phi fraternity. The organizations' past lead ers said the groups did not Greeks From Page 1 year, Zagame lived in the house and knew the truth had to come out. Fraternity members became suspicious of his behav ior, and he couldn't keep the secret any longer. "I think if they hadn't known me already, they. would have pushed me to the side," Zagame said. "But because they did know me and because I was a friend, I think they became a lit tle more open-minded with the situation." Zagame said he expected the worst but was surprised when a most other fraternity members supported his coming out and were open to talking about it. "Some people I actually became better friends with," he said. "It was such a personal thing that I told them and me coming out to them let them be totally honest with me. Others were uneasy with the situation. Some people were brought up believing homosexuality is wrong. ... Some were afraid to confront me and afraid of offend ing me." Zagame lived in the house until this semester, when he decided to study abroad in Italy. Not all stories have as happy an ending, though. Spencer Unger (senior-hotel, restaurant and institutional management) began college at the University of Montana, where he joined Sigma Chi fra ternity. Unger began physical contact with men at 13, but didn't come to terms with his sexuality until he was 20, when he started coming out to family and friends. Around that time, the Mary land native came to Penn State and moved into the Sigma Chi house, 400 E. Prospect Ave. He kept his sexuality a secret. "I went home a lot because I didn't want to stay here on week ends and just tried to avoid being around the house as much as possible," he said. "I didn't want to come out to them, but I wanted to live my life." Although Unger tried to keep his sexuality a secret, word spread. Unger said he felt too awkward to stay in the house, and this year he moved into an apartment with his partner. Although contact with mem bers has been limited since he left the house, Unger said every one he has bumped into has asked him to come back "I just came to the realization that this was not the place for me at this time in my life," he said. AFTER ZAGAME'S experi ence with his fraternity, he interned at the LGBTA Student Resource Cen ter, where he helped start the Greek/LGBTA Initiative. "We wanted to create programs that would reach out to the greek community and help people who want to come out," he said. Bertges and other greek lead ers have helped the initiative become reality by helping arrange presentations at new member orientation and in hous es. "Any group that approaches us that tries to get the word out about issues, we're more than welcome to work with them," he said. "If they need the resources, we can help out there as well." The initiative has a few com ponents, including online chats and the Greek Straight Talks presentations, discussions about the greek LGBT community. The online chats help answer questions LGBT or greek mem bers or both have and facil itate discussion between the communities. Despite an mes sage sent on the greek e-mail list advertising the discussion, no students participated in the most recent session. LGBTA resource center direc- specifically try to inform the greek community of homosexu ality "[Lambda Delta Omega] was n't really an activist group, they were more of a sisterhood," said Jane Neitz, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life. Lambda Delta Omega was an associate of the Panhellenic Council, meaning the sorority paid dues and attended meet ings but had no voting privileges within the council. Russel Martin, the 2002 Delta Lambda Phi president, said the chapter opened in 1998 dedicat ed to serving the whole commu nity's needs. "The founder saw a need for a fraternity that did not discrimi nate," Martin said. The fraternity was never a part of the Interfraternity Coun cil, he said. "Being new, young and gay, we wanted to act together before we did anything like that." Martin said fraternity mem bers were very involved in the Penn State .community and Adam Zolyak/Collegian Leaders of the Greek LGBTA/Initiative meet in the Boucke Building's LGBTA Resource Center to discuss upcoming Straight Talk events. tor Allison Subasic said she has seen much improvement in her four years working at Penn State. "I think there is a lot more involvement by students with campus initiatives," Subasic said. "... There's also a lot more trust between the students and administration now" She added that while the ten sions between the two groups might concern some, many greek organizations are accom modating to such issues. "My impression is that a lot [of greek students] are closeted," she said. "There are some that are out, but it often seems to stay within the fraternity or sorority ... There's sometimes a negative image about people coming out in fraternities but I think it goes both ways ... some [greek organizations] are very supportive." Dina Liberatore, a resource center graduate assistant and former sorority member, said it can come down to the image a fraternity or sorority wants to maintain. "Greek life is not always very accepting of people who are different than what one might expect from a greek per son." she said. "... If one had a member come out as LGBT, it can affect recruitment and alumni relations." The only thing seemingly rarer than an LGBT brother is an LGBT sister, Merchant said. "That seems to be the case, which is odd, because girls ... seem to be much more accept ing of the LGBT community," she said. "Sometimes I think it's a case where girls tend to talk more than do and guys do more than talk. Girls just may be afraid of being ostracized or cast out of this group of friends they've created." NOT EVERYONE helping the initiative is LGBT or university employed. Enter Jacob Wolf (junior-biobe havioral health), Matt Factor (sophomore-premedicine) and Sara Ryan (senior-political sci ence and African and African American studies). All are heterosexual, but have devoted much of their Penn State careers to helping the LGBT community. Wolf and Fac tor are greek, both members of Theta Chi fraternity 523 S. Allen St. "You can be fired from a job in Pennsylvania because you're LGBT, and that pisses me off," Ryan said. "I don't feel right liv ing in a country that is supposed to be equal and fair to all when it's not." Wolf and Factor are Zagame's friends and are continuing the initiative while he is in Italy. "We just want to show people that there's nothing wrong with being straight and wanting to help, especially in a fraternity setting," Wolf said. Their involvement with the initiative has been important to maintaining a balance and keep ing the greek community from being villainized. "The whole initiative is based on trying to destroy two stereo COLLEGIAN IN-DEPTH could not dedicate enough time to sustain a new chapter. "We weren't able to bring peo ple in at the rate we need to counterbalance the people who were graduating," Martin said, adding that there is a chance in the future for the fraternity to reopen at Penn State. Martin said although the Penn State community tried to be open to LGBT issues, work still needs to be done. He said stu dents must be open to resources provided by the university "It is the students' responsibil ity to be open. ... It works both ways," Martin said. Woolsen and Cole said they also feel Penn State is not fully open to the issues regarding LBGT students. "It is very true that we do live in central Penn sylvania, and it is not the most liberal area," Cole said. Allison Subasic, LGBTA stu dent organizations director, said she hopes Penn State can even tually reopen the organizations, but added that there must be interest shown first. types: that being gay is wrong but also that fraternity men or sorority women don't accept homosexuality," Factor said The three said they had rarely been harassed by their peers for their work with the Greek/LGBTA Initiative and other LGBT-related campaigns. "The only type of attention I've gotten is positive," Factor said. "Guys come up to me and are just like 'great presentation, guys.' " Ryan said the only negative reaction she has ever gotten was from select members of the LGBT community "There were a few members who didn't like that position I was in," she said, referring to her role as Allies president last year "It's a major issue whether a "'ember of a majority group should lead a marginalized one. Otherwise, they've been very supportive and wonderful to me." DESPITE HELP from the powers that be, contro versy still lingers and fingers are pointed. For a few weeks, members inside and out of the LGBTA community waged a war of words over a letter to the editor sent to The Daily Collegian by student Chris Kovalchick, a member of Delta Theta Sigma fraternity, 101 N. Patterson St. In the letter, Kovalchick disap proved of a photograph on the front page of the Collegian of gay couples kissing at an Allies sponsored event. According to Kovalchick's friend and fraternity president Jeff Gorzkowski, Kovalchick has since received hate mail, includ ing threats, and some supportive ones. The mistake many have been making, he said, is the link people have been trying to make between Kovalchick's comments and the organizations to which he belongs. "His opinion was that of his own and not-the ideals of our organization or that of any other in the IFC," Gorzkowski said. Gorzkowski added that although he supported the actions, he believes Kovalchick could've been less offensive in the letter's presentation. He also said it's difficult to say whether the greek system's stig ma of homophobia is real, but said many greeks come from backgrounds that may influence personal views. "People who join the fraternity system, especially a social fra ternity their ideals are very dif ferent from other people's," he said. "Us being an agricultural fraternity, most of our back grounds are from the country ... we're very family-oriented ... we're just brought up that way" Zagame said most LGBT peo ple avoid a school that some say has a heterosexist image. "It's a greek and jock school," he said. "Most of the people who are gay at Penn State are the people who realized it after coming to this school. ... People who are out in high school are not usually going to go to a school that's like Penn State." ..... Ron Swing lessons and dancing from 9:00 PM-10:00 PM; 5 Decades of Song, a cappella style starting at 10:00 PM; Karaoke with Local Motion DJs all night long Door prizes every 20 minutes plus games and free root beer floats! 9:00 PM-1:00 AM, Alumni Hall LATIN DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA The BEST Club-style and Ballroom Latin Dance with the occasional standard Dance! — 10:00 PM-2:00 AM, Heritage Hall (Sponsored by Ballroom Dance Club) HUB 50' BINGO Tons of new prizes! 10:00 PM, Ground Floor 3-D MOTION PHOTOS Your picture has never looked so unique! 10:00 PM-2:00 AM, Ground Floor CHIP MOCK CARICATURES 10:00 PM-2:00 AM,I" Floor BALLOON ARTIST LOUIS PAUL Balloons like you've never seen! 10:00 PM-2:00 AM, 1' Floor IN CONCERT: BLAIR DRAKE —11:00 PM-1:00 AM, The Stage at Joegies CREATIVE CRAFTS Paint and decorate stuffed animals! 9:00 PM-1:00 AM, Ground Floor POLITICAL SCIENCE SOCIETY At the Hot Spot 10:00 PM-1:00 AM, 1" Floor POKER TOURNAMENT Prizes for winners! 10:00 PM, Ground Floor (Sponsored by GAPS) MOVIE: FINDING NEVERLAND 7:00 PM, 9:30 PM & 12:00 AM, Atllitorium WHITE BUILDING ACTIVITIES: Late Night Basketball League 7:00 PM start Open Recreation Badminton, Table Tennis, Whiffle Ball, Horseshoes, Bubble Hockey & Squash 9:00 PM-2:00 AM; Basketball after league play until 2:00 AM Yoga Pilates Fusion Fitness Class* 9:30 PM start Open Pool Recreation* Water Basketball, Spa and Sauna 9:00 PM-1:00 AM (Closed if no Lifeguard) MBNA Fitness Center* 9:00 PM-2:00 AM (*Requires Fitness Pass/ID) Saturday, March 19 KEYSTONE CLASSIC 2005 BALLROOM DANCE SHOW Featuring a midnight showcase by World #7 Latin Professionals Matthew Cutler and Charlotte! 10:00 PM, Alumni Hall (Sponsored by Ballroom Dance Club) CROSS COLLEGE TRIVIAL PURSUIT Show your smarts with PSU and USG trivia! 10:00 PM, Ground Floor (Sponsored by USG Academic Assembly) 3-D MOTION PHOTOS Your picture has never looked so unique! 10:00 PM-2:00 AM, Ground Floor BALLOON ARTIST LOUIS PAUL Balloons like you've never seen! 10:00 PM-2:00 AM, 1' Floor IN CONCERT: BEN LEWIS — 11:00 PM and AARON ANTHONY 12:00 AM, The Stage at Joegies CREATIVE CRAFTS Paint and decorate stuffed animals! 9:00 PM-1:00 AM, Ground Floor CHABAD JEWISH STUDENT ORGANIZATION At the Hot Spot 10:00 PM-1:00 AM, 1" Floor OPEN GAMES NIGHT Monopoly, Risk, Jenne, Scrabble and more! 9:00 PM-2:00 AM, Ground Floor MOVIE: FINDING NEVERLAND 7:00 PM, 9:30 PM & 12:00 AM, Auditorium WHITE BUILDING ACTIVITIES: Half Court Shot Contest 9:00 PM start Open Recreation Badminton, Table Tennis, Whiffle Ball, Horseshoes, Bubble Hockey & Squash 9:00 PM-2:00 AM: Basketball after contest until 2:00 AM Noche de Salsa 10:00 PM Lint-water Hockey' 9:00 PM-12:00 Unity Christian Campus WORSHIP SERVII MARCH 20, 2005 10:i FRIZZELL ROOM of EISENHOI Experience a lively, joyful, Intel student-led worship service. All Guest speaker will be Dr. Barb; Special Guests: The Lock Haven Uni, MARCH 19, 2005 8:00 PM SCHWI A Capella concert featuring the Pen Dreamers, Savoir Faire, NOTA & the' S University of Delawai Students $3.00 General Put All proceeds benefit chi ; - • WE ARE Camp THE WE ARE SPEAKER SERIES: INSIG/' MARCH 23, 2005 7:31 PASQUERILLA SPIRITUAL CENTER, Jeremy Cohen, Associate Vice Provo Education and professor of communical on service to a community and the nn minor at Penn Stati ECOTOURISM PRE& AND DISCUSS) Presented by STUDENT ORGANIZATION FOR SOCIETY & NATURAL RESOURCES MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2005 6:00 PM 11 FERGUSON BLDG Promoting open discussion on topics relating to the interactions of Society & Natural Resources. Open to all majors. iAt - fitl: —, E,- - ' :- "s° : USG ELECTIONS COMMISSION ; USG/UPAC/ARHS Elections Schedule Executive Ticket Debate Monday, March 21 8:00 PM, 108 Forum Meet The Candidates Tuesday March 22 4:30 PM-7:00 PM Pollock Commons , Thursday March 24 4:30 PM-7:00 PM Waring Commons Friday March 25 4:30 PM-7:00 PM Findlay Commons oKirl,;;Alak, SOUND DECISION MAKING: . Workshop by Mr. Durbagh Borad !II Presented by HINDU STUDENTS COUNCIL SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2:00 PM FRIZZEL ROOM, PASQUERILLA SPIRITUAL CENTER Power of Decisions: This workshop deals with the root cause of wrong decisions, their consequences and factors affecting them. It will also illustrate the 8 universal laws of ' sound decision making. Mr Durbagh Borad founded the Global College of Gayatn in 1993 and has conducted over 500 workshops and seminars since then. For more information regarding this seminar please visit www.colleaeofaavatri.oni and ww.clubs STUDENT AFFAIRS REWARDS & RECOGNITION NOMINATIONS Have you received excellent service from someone in Student Affairs? Has someone gone the extra mile to enhance your experience at Penn State? Did a Student Affairs staff member demonstrate sensitivity toward you? The Student Affairs Rewards & Recognition Committee is taking nominations for the "Outstanding Service Students Award." Please take a moment to nominate deserving individuals. Your nomination will let them know that their contributions have made a difference htto://www.sa.osu.edu/award Visit ./default.htrnlto submit your nomination today. If you are not able to access the site and/or if you prefer a hard copy of the nomination form, please contact Karen Struble at kass@sa.psu.edu or call 3-1710. If you are not sure who is in Students Affairs, please refer to http://www.sa.osu.edu/sadents.shtml Nominations are due by 5 PM on April 1, 2005. HAPPY 50" BIRTHDAY TO THE HUB! SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Friday, March 18 ( Noon-1:00 PM) Noontime Concert featuring Pennharmonics and T First Floor Lounge Friday, March 18 ( 9:00 PM-1:00 AM) Late Night Penn State, Alumni Hall. Dance the to music from the past 50 years! Games, prizes EXHIBITS Art foyer & Display Cases in front of the HUB Information Desk. Displayed thrf Sta ss" 9:30 PM start s/ID) showing tonight) Check out union St, and got a groat deal an I Noe-Rooz Gala In celebration of the Persian New Year: Presented by presented by USG - SOCIAL AWARENESS COMMITTEE EACH WEDNESDAY NOON-1:00 PM FIRST FLOOR LOUNGE - HUB-ROBESON CENTER Perspective Mic is a part of a larger theme of civic engagement being worked on by the Social Awareness Committee of the Student Government. Each Wednesday you have an opportunity to voice your perspective on important issues facing our community and often do so in front of administrators or decisions makers within town. The program allows students to learn from their peers' varying perspectives and become producers of their educational experience rather than just being consumers of it. We will provide the microphone and forum, you provide the perspective. For more information email socialchan s e • I u.ed FRIDAY, March 18, 2005 I 7 ADVISORY BOARD Monday, March 21 5:00 PM-6:30 PM Room 330 HUB-Robeson Center Student open forum at the beginning of each meeting . SUB 5o • SPECIAL CONCERT Featuring THE PENNHAAMOIVICS & THE DREAMERS A t 4. Presented By NOONTIME CONCERT SERIES triK., s St/ - FRIDAY, MARCH 18 NOON-1 PM IST FLOOR LOUNGE, HUB-ROBESON CENTER Come and listen to some great music sung by two of Penn State's A Capella groups. They will be singing songs from the past 50 years. THE IRANIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION HERITAGE HALL— HUB-ROBESON CENTER SATURDAY, MARCH 19 7:00 PM-1:00 AM Celebrate the arrival of spring by enjoying a variety of delicious Iranian foods and desserts and dancing to live Persian music featuring performances by Hooshmand Aghili And a screening of the new animated film Babak & Friends - A First Norooz Tickets on sale at the HUB (ground floor) i.. University Park Students $15.00 Non-Students $25.00 I March 16-18 10:00 AM-4:00 PM Or contact Saed at sxs9B7@psu.edu Funded by UPAC ~ [IJ ( I t(.l
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers