By: Karly Grey (’21), Staff Writer
For generations, Black Greek Letter Organizations have been home to the expression and representation of African American students on black and white campuses. Learning to Give, describes the fraternities as “ binding [African American men] together in order to ensure their survival.” Recurring themes of intelligence, service, and masculinity are embedded in the histories of these organizations. “Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities.” Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., mission’s statement is similar: “culture for service and service for humanity.” These ideals have continued into present day. Many equate the men in these organizations as the most “masculine.” How does this stigma include the gay male, who is often not seen as masculine?
I wanted to sit down with the student who raised these questions. He asked to remain anonymous, something that in itself, I think, makes a statement on how he think he will be perceived for speaking up. So for the purpose of this article, he will be called Daniel. Daniel spoke about how he was interested in joining a BGLO, as his Uncle and Grandfather had been a part of them. He talked about the brotherhood he hoped to share. But when I asked if he would pledge, his responses began to lag. “[Because] I’m gay, I feel like I won’t be respected or treated like the other brothers. I’ll be seen as a lesser form of a man. I could go through all everyone else went through, and still not get in because I am gay,” he said. This hesitation seems to stem from perceptions of how he would be accepted, and even stories he has been told personally. So while Daniel is interested in these organizations and thinks he can fulfill the pledges he would make, he won’t even try because the “vibe” isn’t accepting to him.
This accepting “vibe” is something that sounds extraneous, but it appears more than one person feels this hesitation. When speaking to another student he laughed at the idea of pledging, stating that “I would never get in.” It seems this stigma, whether true or not, has been turned into truth for some of the gay men on campus.
The tides may be turning, however. Justin Wynn is a member of the Xi Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. here at UNC. He spoke with me about the stigma of homosexual males not being welcome to these organizations. “The founders [of Phi Beta Sigma] believe in the inclusive we versus the exclusive we. When we say inclusivity we mean by race, religion, sexual orientation, anything. If you believe in the mission of Sigma, and want to better your community, then we’re not going to judge you. It’s about what you bring,” Wynn said. It seems like the ideas of stigmas are false based on the mission of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.. Yet, these hesitations in participating must come from somewhere. Wynn had some comments on this as well. “People who do feel unwelcome, I think it’s not just a black male greek thing, it’s just like a black male thing in general. We need to be more inclusive with our language,” he said.
That is something to think about, that maybe these hesitations haven’t stemmed from experiences with these fraternities themselves, but from the general black male experience. As a woman, and an outsider to these organizations, I can’t say for sure whether these stigmas are true. But I would advise Daniel and any other hesitant student to follow Wynn’s words, “They should go in with an open mind and look at each organization. Each chapter is different.” It may just take a few brave souls to be at the forefront of these organizations to help things along.
