Delta Lambda Phi
has been around the University of Arizona campus since
the early 1990s. But by the end of this year it expects to
gain official status from the UA's Interfraternity
Council as the institution's first official gay fraternity.
UA has 25 fraternities with about 1,200 members.
Some are for specific minority groups such as Latinos
or Native Americans. But Delta Lambda Phi would
be the first based around sexual orientation--it's for
"gay, bisexual, and progressive" men.
For Dan Churgin, Delta Lambda Phi means a chance
to get back in the Greek system. Churgin pledged a UA
fraternity as a freshman, but by then he already knew
he was gay and had second thoughts about it. The 20-year-old
junior ultimately decided not to go through with initiation.
"I didn't feel comfortable," he said. "I wasn't out,
and I knew it would be more difficult to come out
being in the fraternity than if I wasn't there."
But now he's back in the UA Greek system as one
of seven members of Delta Lambda Phi. The fraternity
is gearing up this week for "rush"--where
fraternities and sororities hold events to form a new
pledge class. Another rush is scheduled for February, and
Delta Lambda Phi expects to have 25 to 30 members by
the end of the school year. (AP)