CFS, DaGLO hold discussion
About 55 people gathered last night at Sigma Nu fraternity for a discussion on homophobia in the Greek system, the first event the Dartmouth Area Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Organization has ever sponsored with a fraternity, according to DaGLO co-chair Earl Plante '94. The discussion, moderated by Rahul Mathur '95, a Sigma Nu brother and the Coed Fraternity Sorority Office intern, started with a 10-minute film portraying gay life in fraternities at other schools. The film featured interviews with gay men in fraternities who discussed how their houses inhibited their ability to "come out," or announce their homosexuality, by creating a fear of rejection among brothers. The video showed one man who "came out of the closet" and was strongly supported by his fraternity brothers, while other men in the film said membership in a fraternity inhibited their ability to express themselves. One male audience member said during the discussion after the film, he felt the men in the video were honest but he believed it was too easy to simply say the fraternity system is a tough environment for homosexuals. He said the problem of homophobia is deeply rooted in our society and is not just a by-product of the Greek system. Other students also said it is unfair to the open-minded members of fraternity houses to be immediately labeled as homophobic. Jeff Middents '93 said although he agreed it is unfair to stereotype all fraternities as homophobic, it is important to remember that many communities bond together on hate. Student Assembly President-Elect Jim Rich '96, who spoke at the event, said he applauded the initiative of DaGLO and Sigma Nu to educate members of both the Greek system and the homosexual community who might not have gotten a chance to hear both sides of these issues.