LGBTQ Support

Fraternity and Sorority Affairs (FSA) is here to support its organizations in their desire to be a safe, welcoming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ+) members. FSA is also available to answer questions from LGBTQ+ members of the University of Rochester community who are currently affiliated with or interested in a fraternity or sorority.

Safe Zone Training

Safe Zone Training at the University of Rochester is a dynamic, interactive session for students that includes activities and discussions around:

  • Using inclusive and respectful language
  • Coming out
  • Understanding sexual and gender identity
  • Taking action on our campuses and in our workplaces
  • Getting help

These trainings are for students, presented by their peers, and give participants the skills they need to provide support and to create environments that are safe, welcoming, and inclusive.

Resources

The following is a list of both local and national resources. This is not an exhaustive list. If you find another resource that you believe could benefit the University of Rochester community, please email john.disarro@rochester.edu.

Local Resources 

Please visit the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center website for a thorough list of University of Rochester resources.

National Resources

Membership Eligibility Statements

Every fraternity and sorority has been asked to submit a policy specifying which students may join based on their gender. Those policies are listed here to assist students in determining which organizations they may be eligible to join.

If you are interested in bringing a gender-inclusive organization to campus, please contact the director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, John DiSarro, at john.disarro@rochester.edu.

Alpha Delta Phi

Any individual who identifies as a man is eligible for membership in the fraternity if otherwise determined to be qualified. This policy is intended to uphold the status of Alpha Delta Phi as a brotherhood 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.

Alpha Epsilon Pi

Any male student in regular attendance at the University of Rochester, pursuing a course leading to its degree or its equivalent, and who is eligible, as provided in the Supreme Constitution, may be elected to brotherhood in this Chapter.

Alpha Kappa Alpha

No policy on record.

Alpha Phi

While members of Alpha Phi are neither selected nor rejected based upon age, religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability, membership in Alpha Phi is open only to those who identify as women based upon exemption given social fraternities and sororities by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Alpha Phi Alpha

Any individual who identifies as a man is welcome to seek membership in Alpha Phi Alpha. 

Beta Theta Pi

Any male-identifying, undergraduate student at the University of Rochester, or any undergraduate student of the University of Rochester who was assigned male at birth, is eligible to be a member of the University of Rochester chapter of Beta Theta Pi.

Chi Omega

Chi Omega’s membership selection criteria shall include females and individuals identifying as women of diverse racial, religious, and ethnic backgrounds.

Chi Phi

Any full-time undergraduate male day school student of sixteen years or older and of any college on the River Campus of the University of Rochester, who is not an active member of any other social fraternity, and who is in good standing with the University, is eligible for membership in the Kappa Delta Chapter of the Chi Phi Fraternity.

Delta Gamma

According to Article IV, Definition of Membership, of the Delta Gamma Articles of Incorporation and Constitution, "The membership of this Fraternity shall consist entirely of women." Additionally, Delta Gamma's Positional Statement on Inclusivity states that "Membership is open to all individuals who identify as women."

Delta Kappa Epsilon

Anyone who identifies as a man is welcome to seek membership in Delta Kappa Epsilon.

Delta Sigma Theta

According to Article two, Section A, in Constitution and By Laws, it states that "Any woman of good character is eligible for collegiate membership." Any individual who self identifies as a woman is eligible to join the organization.

Delta Upsilon

Any individual of merit who identifies as a man is welcome to seek membership in the fraternity. In any membership decision, including recruitment, pledging, suspension, expulsion, or electing one to membership in the fraternity, a member, associate member, undergraduate chapter, colony, alumni chapter or the board of directors may not discriminate against any male on the basis of his race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship or physical disability.

Gamma Phi Beta

Gamma Phi Beta is an organization that is rooted in fraternal values and is committed to the promotion of inclusion among our members. Any woman shall be eligible for membership, provided she is currently enrolled in a college or university where there is a collegiate chapter and she is not, nor has been, an initiated member of an existing National Panhellenic Conference fraternity/sorority. Gamma Phi Beta seeks individuals for membership who aspire to live our Core Values of Love, Labor, Learning and Loyalty and want to achieve individual worth, intellectual growth, service to humanity and lifetime commitment to our sisterhood. In an effort to give meaning to the concept of an “all-women” sorority and to give guidance to those making decisions about eligibility for membership in Gamma Phi Beta, the word “woman” should be interpreted as anyone who identifies as a woman. Therefore, anyone who does not identify as woman is not eligible to participate in our organization.

Kappa Alpha Psi

“Any male student of good moral character, pursuing an AB degree (or equivalent degree) in regular attendance at a four year college or university where an undergraduate chapter of the Fraternity is located may become a member only after he has complied with the academic requirements of such college or university concerning initiation.” (Article XXV, Section 2)

Kappa Delta

Kappa Delta Sorority does not tolerate any form of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, creed, religious affiliation, disability, veteran status, national origin or sexual orientation. We consider for membership all who self-identify as women and who meet our high standards in the areas of character, academics and leadership potential.

Lambda Sigma Upsilon

Membership in Lambda Sigma Upsilon is open to all individuals except cisgender women.

Lambda Upsilon Lambda

Section (5) Non-Discrimination Clause: While La Fraternidad requires that any potential members be of the male gender expression, La  Fraternidad shall not otherwise discriminate against potential members with regard to race,  creed, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, physical or mental  ability, veteran status, military obligations, or marital status. Members of La Fraternidad who have been successfully inducted cannot have their membership deactivated, canceled, revoked, or otherwise altered on the grounds of current or future gender identification. 

Mu Sigma Upsilon

Definition of a woman: In an effort to clarify our identity, a woman is defined as any individual who self-identifies as female, regardless of her assigned sex at birth or her expression or the perceived expression of her gender. 1.In order for an individual to be considered for or allowed membership in the sorority, she must identify as a woman, as previously defined 2.No member of MSU can lose her membership rights due to a change in gender, gender expression or gender identity. 3.This policy is not intended to change the all-woman character of the Sorority nor to waive the Sorority’s rights.

Phi Iota Alpha

Limitation of membership to a selective group of men and the exclusion of women from membership is deemed to be consistent with the purposes for which the fraternity was founded. Such limitation is further intended to foster and develop:

  • Family-like ties of brotherhood comparable to those existing in members’ families
  • Members’ collegial, social and emotional development
  • Members’ academic commitment
  • Associational relationships
  • Adherence to the conduct of members’ lives consistent with the principles, values, and teachings of our Ritual
Phi Sigma Sigma

DELTA BETA CHAPTER CONSTITUTION Article II - Membership  SECTION 1. The Delta Beta Chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma shall consist of members as provided in this constitution and in accordance with the rules and regulations of Phi Sigma Sigma and the administration of Rochester University. 

SECTION 2. All female candidates for a degree at Rochester University shall be eligible for membership in the chapter provided they meet the additional requirements defined in this constitution. 

Psi Upsilon

Any currently enrolled undergraduate student of the University of Rochester in good standing who self-identifies as a male is eligible for membership in the Upsilon Chapter of Psi Upsilon Fraternity.

Sigma Chi

Sigma Chi exclusively accepts persons who identify as male into our organization.

Sigma Delta Tau

Sigma Delta Tau does not discriminate on the basis of race/color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or disability when considering candidates for undergraduate membership. Eligibility for consideration for membership is open to all those who live and identify as women.

Sigma Nu

Article Four, Section Two of The Law of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc. states the following: Section 2 - MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS 2.1 CHARACTER. A member must be a man and have the character and bearing of a gentleman. As such, collegiate members should judge the qualifications of potential members solely on the content of their character and not their culture, pedigree or experience. 2.2 NO DUAL MEMBERSHIP. No Chapter shall elect or initiate into the FRATERNITY any member or former member of a General College Fraternity, except as provided by this Article. 2.3 NO HONORARY MEMBERS. No Chapter shall elect or initiate into the FRATERNITY any honorary member.

Sigma Phi Epsilon

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.

Sigma Psi Zeta

We open our doors to all women, including transgender women and non-binary individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, age, religion, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or ability. Males are excluded from seeking membership, as provided by Title IX, 20 U.S.C. §1681(a)(6)(A), which pertains to social fraternities and sororities. However, membership status will not be affected for initiated members who have transitioned and identify as trans-masculine or gender nonconforming.

Theta Chi

Anyone who identifies as a man is welcome to seek membership in Theta Chi. Our stance on gender eligibility is consistent with that of our national governing organization. Since its founding in 1856, Theta Chi Fraternity’s mission has been dedicated to developing resolute men. The Fraternity’s programs are designed specifically to assist college aged men to become outstanding sons, brothers, fathers, uncles, and models of male behavior in society. As such, Theta Chi’s membership has always been limited to men only. The gender exclusivity of the members of Theta Chi is integral to our success in developing achieving our mission of developing resolute men. More info on our nationals policies regarding gender eligibility can be found here: https://www.thetachi.org/