Gay-allied Sigma Phi Beta becomes official colony

Sigma Phi Beta has gained momentum on campus.

The national fraternity that provides a social and educational environment for gay, straight, bisexual and transgender men within the traditional greek system became a colony through the Interfraternity Council at IU on Nov. 13. 

A colony is a step up from an interest group, which means it is closer to becoming an actual chapter, said sophomore Joshua A. Thomas, one of the founders of Sigma Phi Beta at IU.

IU’s Sigma Phi Beta is only considered a colony at IU but not on the national level because the paper work has not been filled out, said senior Ryne Shadday, one of the founders of Sigma Phi Beta at IU.

As of Jan. 1, the fraternity will have a year to set up their fraternity according to Interfraternity Council regulations and “set up the pieces of the puzzle to get everything in place,” said Colin Nabity, IFC president at IU.

Sigma Phi Beta must have active alumni involvement, set up a new member program and create an internal standards board to monitor members, Nabity said.

Nabity said that although the IFC is open to diversity and it has bylaws specifically about the topic, he hopes that with the onset of Sigma Phi Beta those who are skeptical of joining a fraternity based on their race and sexual orientation will feel even more welcomed.

“I hope it gives people a second chance to find something to get involved in,” Nabity said.

Five men wanted to begin a chapter of Sigma Phi Beta on IU’s campus. The fraternity was founded in 2003 at Arizona State University. If the fraternity came to IU, that would be its second established chapter. 

About 50 men from around campus have become interested in joining Sigma Phi Beta, Thomas said. 

By January 2011, Sigma Phi Beta should be considered a chapter at the national and campus level. However, getting a house will take time, Thomas said. 

Sigma Phi Beta members want to be a part of the traditional greek system, but their mission is to bring attention to GLBT issues.

“We want to be able to use our philanthropy events for our community,” Thomas said. “Typically events now in the greek community are based on, I wouldn’t say they are straight type things, but we could use our events for the GLBT community.”

“We want to have the same traditions. We want it to be a traditional greek frat, with, I guess, kind of different theme to it,” Thomas said. “If they were to go to a frat that is here now, we want to give them the same opportunities that they would have if they were in that other one.”

Even though IU has a GLBT Student Support Services Office and organizations such as OUT GLBT Student Union, the greek system adds another dimension to Bloomington’s GLBT community and provides even more opportunities to make positive changes, Shadday said.

“The greek system is so broad in general and it can do so much if it is utilized appropriately,” Shadday said. “And I think this can be utilized appropriately especially with the group of people who are starting it, and if our goals are met we can do a lot, and we can accomplish a lot, and that’s why I got involved in doing that.”

However, the gay members of the greek community have expressed opposition to Sigma Phi Beta, Shadday said.

“It’s kind of disappointing, but it’s to be expected,” Shadday said. “I want to think that it’s integrated enough that we shouldn’t have to separate ourselves and do these things. ... I think that they would be more open to it if they understood, but I don’t think they understood what we are actually trying to do.” 

Another issue members of the greek community have voiced is that Sigma Phi Beta might cause segregation, Thomas said. 

“People that are against it and gay think that we are trying to throw a bunch of gays into one house where it’s a big everybody-dating-everybody type thing,” Thomas said. “And that’s not the goal at all. That’s where everyone is taking this ... There are a lot of rules to try to keep that stuff from not going on, and it’s pretty much one strike and you are out.”

Thomas said that there are set ground rules on dating between brothers and pledges to prevent such matters from occurring. 

Sigma Phi Beta members hope to keep the traditional elements of a fraternity within their alternative organization. 

“Every frat is going to have their certain type of person, but this one will focus on brotherhood, education and philanthropy,” Thomas said.