SigEp Makes History By Opening Membership To Transgenders
Transgender acceptance and inclusivity, probably the predominant hot-button topic of 2015, has officially made its way into one of the most tradition-centric and exclusive networks of men in our country. American fraternities, widely perceived as an outdated good ol’ boy club stuck in its ways, made history recently.
By a unanimous vote of those in attendance, the Sigma Phi Epsilon National Board of Directors have officially opened up membership to people who identify as transgender.
Student Director Sawyer J. Hicks explains that the fraternity is built “on the brotherhood and fellowship of men,” and this should no longer exclude those who self-identify as men, regardless of the gender they were given at birth.
From SigEp.org:
Grand Secretary Richard W. Bennet III emphasized the need for chapters to be leaders and to take a individual stance on the issue. He encouraged the Headquarters staff to play a supporting role by helping chapters understand the issues and create a welcoming environment.
Grand President Cox asked for a motion to approve the policy recommended by Counsel.
Student Director Sawyer J. Hicks moved to approve the adoption of the following policy regarding transgender inclusivity:
“Sigma Phi Epsilon is a national Fraternity built on the brotherhood and fellowship of men. Any individual who identifies as a man is welcome to seek membership in the Fraternity. This policy is intended to uphold the mission of Sigma Phi Epsilon as a fellowship of men and should not be interpreted as changing the all-male character of the Fraternity or as a waiver of the Fraternity’s exempt status under Title IX.”
Seconded by Director Garry C. Kief.
Grand President Cox asked for discussion and Director Kief asked for a full definition of the terminology to be used.
The motion passed by an 8-0 majority vote with three abstentions.
The term transgender describes a person “whose self-identity does not conform unambiguously to conventional notions of male or female gender.”
It will be interesting to see which organizations follow suit..
[via SigEp.org]
Our sig ep founders would be so disappointed in the direction we are headed.
10 years ago at 10:16 pmThis was not CAJ’s dream
10 years ago at 12:54 amDr Seuss is frowning on this one
10 years ago at 11:56 pmHere’s what I don’t understand, if we are born our genders and that’s the way it stays, then why not let chicks born dudes into fraternities and fuck dudes born chicks. That’s only logical following that argument, right?
In all seriousness, if you’re a conservative or libertarian, you should not give a flying fuck what people choose to do in their personal lives. You should also embrace a private organization’s ability to choose who they admit and who they don’t.
My fraternity is choosing to admit people who believe they were born with the wrong gender. Why the fuck should I care who they identify with? How does it affect me? When science backs up the fact that these peoples’ brain chemistries and structures are altered in-utero, why should I force my moral or beliefs onto them?
Food for thought, men.
10 years ago at 10:20 pmThought about it. Still don’t like it.
10 years ago at 10:51 pmHere’s the thing, gender doesn’t always stay the same. It can change. And people can Google intersex on their own time. But I agree with what you’re saying. I’m not understanding why guys are suddenly pretending to care about the private lives of strangers that may have/want a Greek affiliation elsewhere. No better than the social justice warrior spontaneously outraged by something irrelevant in their life. They’ll forget by Wednesday. TL;DR: They exist. Why care now?
10 years ago at 11:08 pmYou lost me at the “fuck dudes born chicks” part
10 years ago at 12:44 amPrecisely this. I think that as long as they’ve gone through the process to physically match their bodies to the gender identity, and they are legally considered male, I sure as shit don’t have the authority to say otherwise. I do however have the authority to grant membership to my organization on a case-by-case basis, just like any other applicant.
10 years ago at 9:42 amThe problem isn’t what their doing in their own lives but how society reacts to them. I couldn’t care less what someone does with their own life as long as it doesn’t affect me. However, the way society has begun to baby and pamper people who aren’t normal and chastise everyone else is a problem and one that legitimately makes me worry about the direction of this country.
10 years ago at 12:31 pmFinally a voice of reason and intelligence. Ditto.
10 years ago at 7:57 pmI agree that it is none of my business what these people do in their own lives. However, as a member of my Fraternity, what they do in their lives now becomes apart of what I do in my life. And I reserve the right to vote against anyone with whom I find issue in how they live their life LGBTQ or not. I support the homosexuals in my Chapter not because they’re gay, but because I like them for the men that they are. I don’t want someone forced on me because it’s the PC thing to do.
10 years ago at 9:20 pmI joined a fraternity not LBGT club.
10 years ago at 10:20 pmOnce ClubEp, always ClubEp
10 years ago at 12:33 amLGBTQ
10 years ago at 10:02 amLGBTQAAPB, actually.
You can’t forget the asexuals, autosexuals, pedophiles, and bestiality lovers. That wouldn’t be very inclusive of you. All sexual orientations are equal, you bigot.
10 years ago at 1:13 pmWhat the fuck is autosexual
10 years ago at 4:09 pmI was autosexual a few minutes ago for the second time today if you know what I mean
10 years ago at 6:17 pmAnd so it begins….
10 years ago at 10:20 pmAnd so it begins…
10 years ago at 10:20 pmDidn’t mean to post twice but it does beg repetition.
10 years ago at 10:24 pmTLiberalM
10 years ago at 10:29 pmA lot of universities are requiring compliance sections to be added to RSO by-laws this includes non-discriminatory membership requirement policies except it’s fuzzy on what kind of discrimination fraternal and sororital organizations are aloud to make based on gender. Basically liberals are blurring the lines to the point where it basically isn’t there.
10 years ago at 10:47 pmA women who claims to be a man will never ever be my brother. Our founder Aston Carter Jenkins is absolutely disgusted right now.
10 years ago at 10:52 pmYou mean Carter Ashton Jenkins, champ?
10 years ago at 9:57 amBuddy you can’t even name your own founding father correctly when attempting to reference him to make a point. There aren’t enough laps in the world for you to take.
10 years ago at 1:37 amNot SigEp, but one of our chapter founders is transgender. No doubt there are others. And I’m guessing, those of you against this, that none of you cared yesterday or were affected yesterday, so why the fuck care now?
10 years ago at 10:54 pmCause it wasn’t an issue. No one was thinking about it until it was shoved down their throats. I have no problem with a girl that wants to be a guy being let in my house, so long as they act like a guy and are tolerable to be around. But I think some people are confusing the issue with having to let in guys that want to be girls. That I think should no be allowed. Guys that want to be girls should be allowed to join sororities so long as they fit in at the sorority. OR THEY CAN START THEIR OWN FUCKING CLUBS.
10 years ago at 6:11 amHere’s what’s fun about that. As you said, it wasn’t an issue. Guarantee they’ve been around for decades. Yet, suddenly you’be been afflicted by their existence? And shoved down your throat? No one forced you to pass out bids, bring them into you home, or anything at all. But now a public admits they exist, and you’re offended? My point is this affects none of you fucks. You were fine yesterday doing what you normally do and you’ll continue doing that tomorrow. So why cry about it today? This has no effect on anyone whining on here.
10 years ago at 8:35 am“Unanimous decision” meaning one guy probably
10 years ago at 10:55 pm