Sigma Phi Beta (ΣΦΒ) was a college fraternity for gay, straight, bisexual, and transgender men. It was founded at Arizona State University (ASU) on September 28, 2003. It originated as the Beta chapter of a now-defunct fraternity with similar values, Alpha Lambda Tau.[1] It disaffiliated from Alpha Lambda Tau on May 11, 2003.
| Sigma Phi Beta | |
|---|---|
| ΣΦΒ | |
 | |
| Founded | September 28, 2003 Tempe, Arizona |
| Type | Collegiate |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Emphasis | LGBT |
| Scope | United States |
| Motto | Believe... And none can hinder thee. |
| Member badge |  |
| Colors | Midnight blue and Moonlight Silver |
| Flower | Green Carnation |
| Mascot | Griffin |
According to its promoters, "The fraternity creates a unique social and educational environment for its members within the traditional Greek fraternity system, while providing all open-minded men in college with career and character building opportunities. By participating in recreational, scholastic, and community service programs, the members of Sigma Phi Beta are transforming into tomorrow's reliable leaders. Sigma Phi Beta values brotherhood, diversity, leadership, education, scholarship, fraternity life, and community service. We embrace tradition while promoting positive change that moves us forward."
It organized as a national body on July 17, 2005, adopting a constitution and bylaws and electing the first fraternity council.[2]
History edit
Sigma Phi Beta was established at Arizona State University in Tempe in 2003[3] where its first national chapter dates to 2005. Its stated objective is to provide a "uniquely diverse safe space for gay men within the traditional Greek system."[4][5]
The fraternity is open to all who identify as male; the first transgender member of Sigma Phi Beta joined in 2010.[6]
Beta chapter at Indiana University in Bloomington became a colony on November 13, 2009,[7] and a fraternity in Fall 2010.[8][9][10]
Gamma chapter at Ohio State University in Columbus became a chapter on March 22, 2014.
Symbols and traditions edit
The fraternity's mascot, the heraldic Griffin, is prominent on the member pin, with two griffins facing each other in blue and green. The pin is circular, on a white field, encircled in a blue border.
The fraternity's logo exhibits the Greek letters Σ, Φ, and Β rendered in white on a blue background, in three linked black circles.
The fraternity's flower is the green carnation.
Requirements edit
Sigma Phi Beta requires members to:
- Be enrolled as a full-time student in the college or university that the chapter is affiliated with.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better.[11]
- Identify as male.
Sigma Phi Beta prioritizes gender identity over assigned gender, allowing transgender men to join. In accordance with the Fraternity's gender policy, members are not required to be legally male, or assigned male at birth.[6]
Chapters and Colonies edit
Chapters
- Alpha - Arizona State University
- Beta - Indiana University - Bloomington
- Gamma - Ohio State University
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Choron, Harry and Sandra (2004). College in a Can: What's In, Who's Out, Where To, Why Not, and Everything Else You Need to Know about Life on Campus. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 25. ISBN 0-618-40871-1.
- ^ "Gay fraternity creates national charter, hopes to expand", The Advocate, July 26, 2005, retrieved 2008-09-02
- ^ Atwood, April (2009-11-03). "Nation's first gay fraternity starting Indiana chapter". The State Press - An independent daily serving Arizona State University. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ "Gay Fraternity Launches At IU". WRTV Indianapolis. November 13, 2010. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ "Brandon Thomas: Being Queer, Going Greek". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ a b "College Fraternity Embraces Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Membership". GLAAD. 2010-11-19. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ Goldman, Alyssa (2009-11-30). "Gay-allied Sigma Phi Beta becomes official colony". Indiana Daily Student. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ "Sigma Phi Beta» GLBTSSS". Indiana.edu. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ Bloom, Zachary (2010-11-11). "Gay Fraternity Initiates New Members in New State". EDGE Boston. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ Hillhouse, Kirsten. "ASU gay fraternity expands to Indiana University". ASU News | The State Press | Arizona State University. Archived from the original on 2014-02-21. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ Brotherhood of Sigma Phi Beta at Middle Tennessee State University. "Constitution and Bylaws".