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Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 4/11/07 Section: News
A better system for Greek gays, but some say more needed
Once notorious for 'humiliating' treatment, frats work for better relations with gay community
Jimmy Tobias
David Azzolina, a 1978 College alumnus, remembers being spit at by fraternity brothers who lived at the corner of 36th and Locust streets.
The fraternity, Phi Kappa Sigma - more commonly known as "Skulls" - used to humiliate its pledges by making them "ask people to sign a petition for gay rights and dance together on Locust Walk," Azzolina said.
And when Azzolina, who is gay, confronted the fraternity about the practice, he provoked the aforementioned response.
The Greek system, and fraternities in particular, is often viewed as anti-gay and conducive to homophobia. But some say that, since Azzolina's experience, the situation has improved significantly - although not entirely.
Phi Kappa Sigma, for example, now has a number of gay brothers. College senior Patrick Fisher is one of them.
"It has been positive, for sure," he said, referring to his experience in the fraternity.
Fisher said he was out when he rushed the fraternity, but the issue of his sexuality "never came up."
Wharton and College junior Jon Kiman, a brother at Pi Kappa Phi, is also gay and said he came out his sophomore year, after he had gone through the pledging process.
"I've had a good experience," he said. "My friends are a good support system."
His fraternity brothers even threw him a party when he returned to campus after going home to come out to his parents.
Scott Reikofski, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, wrote in an e-mail that the environment for gays in the Greek system has improved in the 12 years that he's been at Penn.
"At the same time, there are chapters that are not as supportive, and maybe not as experienced at understanding and dealing with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered members," Reikofski added.
Kiman particularly noted that the language in fraternities "is not necessarily supportive of homosexuals."
Wharton junior Austin Pena, who is the president of the InterFraternity Council and is straight, agreed with Kiman during a panel held on March 21 as part of QPenn - the week-long celebration of LGBT life at Penn - that discussed the intersection of the LGBT and Greek communities.
The fraternity, Phi Kappa Sigma - more commonly known as "Skulls" - used to humiliate its pledges by making them "ask people to sign a petition for gay rights and dance together on Locust Walk," Azzolina said.
And when Azzolina, who is gay, confronted the fraternity about the practice, he provoked the aforementioned response.
The Greek system, and fraternities in particular, is often viewed as anti-gay and conducive to homophobia. But some say that, since Azzolina's experience, the situation has improved significantly - although not entirely.
Phi Kappa Sigma, for example, now has a number of gay brothers. College senior Patrick Fisher is one of them.
"It has been positive, for sure," he said, referring to his experience in the fraternity.
Fisher said he was out when he rushed the fraternity, but the issue of his sexuality "never came up."
Wharton and College junior Jon Kiman, a brother at Pi Kappa Phi, is also gay and said he came out his sophomore year, after he had gone through the pledging process.
"I've had a good experience," he said. "My friends are a good support system."
His fraternity brothers even threw him a party when he returned to campus after going home to come out to his parents.
Scott Reikofski, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, wrote in an e-mail that the environment for gays in the Greek system has improved in the 12 years that he's been at Penn.
"At the same time, there are chapters that are not as supportive, and maybe not as experienced at understanding and dealing with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered members," Reikofski added.
Kiman particularly noted that the language in fraternities "is not necessarily supportive of homosexuals."
Wharton junior Austin Pena, who is the president of the InterFraternity Council and is straight, agreed with Kiman during a panel held on March 21 as part of QPenn - the week-long celebration of LGBT life at Penn - that discussed the intersection of the LGBT and Greek communities.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 14
Didnt Dulberg deactivate?
posted 4/11/07 @ 10:59 AM EST
I could have sworn that earlier in the year, the DP reported that Adam Dulberg deactivated from KA (see the link below). Now its calling him a brother. (Continued…)
Adam Dulberg
posted 4/11/07 @ 11:36 AM EST
I did deactivate earlier this year over completely unrelated issues but have been back as an active member since the beginning of second semester. I guess the DP forgot to cover my return to KA. (Continued…)
KA New Member
posted 4/11/07 @ 2:33 PM EST
Not only is he a brother, but he is the sexiest brother.
Charles Cole Coyne
posted 4/11/07 @ 3:37 PM EST
I second that.
Anthony Pants
posted 4/11/07 @ 4:30 PM EST
I could have sworn that Mark Bachman-Panayides isn't a Penn student. These recent, under-researched articles the DP is churning out show why the DP took back to back to back to back National Pacemaker Awards from 2000-2004 and none since. (Continued…)
George Lin
posted 4/11/07 @ 8:40 PM EST
I am gay...that is all
Gay Community
posted 4/11/07 @ 10:15 PM EST
Dear Daily Pennsylvanian,
We, the gay community, have discussed it amongst ourselves, and we have decided to ask you to please refrain from mentioning us in future issues of your periodical. (Continued…)
gay pride
posted 4/11/07 @ 10:27 PM EST
this article is bullshit.
Oedipus Poseidon
posted 4/16/07 @ 2:06 PM EST
I think further investigation is needed into why fraternities haven't been more welcoming of broken glass, empty water jugs, birching slack jaws, and giant spools. (Continued…)
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