Current LGBT Students Find Sororities, Fraternities More Hospitable Than Past Graduates

While there have always been members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in fraternities and sororities, it is only in the last decade that they have been acknowledged. Increased openness on the part of the LGBT community and changing societal attitudes may directly correlate to the increase in research on sexual orientation and the collegiate experiences of those who identify as LGBT.

During a recent presentation at the American College Personnel Association’s annual conference in Atlanta, Dr. Susan Rankin, research associate in the Center for the Study of Higher Education at The Pennsylvania State University, highlighted the evolving experiences of LGBT people in Greek-letter organizations.

According to Rankin’s study, “Experiences of LGBT People in Fraternities & Sororities from 1960 to 2007,” more than one-third of undergraduate students came “out” of the proverbial closet while they were undergraduate members of their fraternity/sorority, while 29 percent came out during recruitment or rush. Almost half of alumni members indicated that they came out after graduation.

“Things are getting better. Undergraduate chapters are becoming friendlier and chapter climates are changing. For whatever reason, alumni sorority and fraternity members waited until after graduation to expose their sexual orientation. Current undergraduate students are coming out while they are still in school,” Rankin said.

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