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A couple weeks ago, the Daily Pennsylvanian reported that the University of Pennsylvania, one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious Universities, would become a pioneer in providing a LGBT new member education program to fraternities on campus. The programs are designed to encourage a sensitive atmosphere for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students that are involved in the Greek system at Penn. Several organizations at Penn such as the LGBT Center, the Interfraternity Council, and the Lambda Alliance are all in involved to create a curriculum to demonstrate acceptance to their brothers who identify as LGBT. Although, the current program is designed for fraternities there is also a program in the works for a sororities also. However, there has been opposition to the creation of the education. On campus, members of several Greek groups feel as though their organizations already do “a great job fostering relationships and instilling brotherhood.” There is also the fear that the implementation of the program may encourage some homophobia. In opposition to that several students feel as though applying the program will “make freshman aware of our mission as an organization developing good citizenship.” As a student currently, I feel as though the program can only bring positivity to the University especially as a freshman who may be having problems coming out. The last thing an incoming freshman should have to worry about is becoming a part of a brotherhood and having a fear that they won’t accept him and preventing the ideals of that organization from showing. In addition to that I feel that a lot of miscommunication and ignorance comes from not being educated and Penn’s education program solves that problem. I just hope that other Universities will follow suit. As a student, prospective student to a University or alumni how do you feel about the education program? I would love to know. No wonder its called the City of Brotherly Love. :)
Peace and Love.
thedp.com/article/fraternities-adapt-lgbt-focused-member-education
