Chas Manning was rejected from five other fraternities before being accepted to Delta Lambda Phi, a national social fraternity geared towards gay, bisexual and progressive men at Boston University.
“I am so glad that I ended up in this one,” said pledge master and College of Engineering senior Chas Manning. “We’re brothers. It’s a bond I cannot explain.”
DLP, which is listed as a colony, continues its efforts to establish itself as an official chapter at BU, Manning said. The first class of new members stemmed from an interest group on campus, which was once part of a Boston-wide chapter that started in the late 1990s and later disbanded. In spite of its history, DLP held its first general rush for its second class fall 2011.
DLP is already recognized by BU as a Greek-letter organization and has an account through the Student Activity Office, Manning said. Twenty seven chapters and five colonies of DLP exist throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Manning said the colony has communicated with members in Florida, California and Washington, among other states.
The colony officially needs three consecutive generations since its first rush before developing into a fraternity. Students are rushing for DLP in the spring as well.
“Our status at BU is generally unaffected by this process,” Manning said. “This semester marks our third [generation], and we hope and plan to be chartered in May.”
Rush continues through the next week, and potential pledges will get to join in on activities where “you get to know us and we get to know you,” said DLP President Ethan
Pravetz, a School of Education and College of Arts and Sciences senior.
DLP has a hands-off policy where active members involved in selecting which guys will become pledges are not allowed to enter relationships with pledges or rushers. The members jokingly call it the “International Hands Off Policy,” said CAS senior Mike Orr, vice president and social chair.
Orr said gay men have a stereotype of being very sexual. However, the fraternity focuses on brotherhood, not relationships.
“Honestly, if you’re here solely to find a relationship, this probably is not the place for you,” Pravetz said.
BU’s Greek life already includes nine fraternities, but DLP is designed to add to the Greek scene’s diversity while focusing on brotherhood and philanthropy. Orr said BU needs a fraternity such as DLP to provide further opportunities for students to find their niche on campus.
“BU doesn’t really offer many options for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students,” Orr said. “With DLP, you get Greek life with LGBT in it.”
DLP members said they thrive on close friendships and bonding experiences while incorporating gay pride and acceptance. Their motto, “Making your Presence Known,” is meant to reflect the fraternity’s goal to “be a friend to all.”
“We looking to expand the gay community at BU,” Orr said. “We want to foster pride in being gay.”
Orr said DLP performs community services for various nonprofit organizations rather than selecting one.
College of Communication freshman and DLP member Eric Linder enjoys this part of being involved.
He said, “we can really use our influence for good, to help the community.”
CORRECTION: In the original article the fraternity was called Lambda Delta Phi, when it is actually Delta Lambda Phi.
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Our organization is called Delta Lambda Phi. Please correct.
Thank you.
And please do not refer to them or any other organization as a “Frat” you don’t call your Country “C*NT” do you?