[13211] in APO-L
Re: help!?
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Liston Bias)
Wed Nov 8 14:33:32 1995
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 1995 13:16:18 -0600
Reply-To: bias@OSUUNX.UCC.OKSTATE.EDU
From: Liston Bias <bias@OSUUNX.UCC.OKSTATE.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
In-Reply-To: <199511071701.LAA05350@email.okstate.edu>
I'm sure others have replied via private mail, but since the message was
sent out to everyone and this can be a "real" issue to many chapters; I'm
posting my opinion to the list... in regard to pledge who is gay.
How to handle pledge who is gay or any pledge that possesses a
characteristic that may be undesirable to brotherhood even though we
claim an open membership?
First of all, I would suggest that the information not be shared with
many (if any) brothers until after the pledge has been voted in? This
would obviously be less of an issue for those chapters that promote
objective requirements, but may come in to play if the pledge doesn't
fulfill all requirements and must be voted on. Individuals may claim it
isn't an issue, but vote against person when done by secret ballot.
Secondly, the situation mentioned in the previous post hints at the
fact that pledge being gay is not known by the majority of brotherhood.
In my experience, I have found that most people are more accepting of
differences when they build a bond before realizing such differences
exist. Granted, there are some that feel betrayed that you didn't tell
them earlier, but you probably would have lost them anyway. How many
times have you told people you were heterosexual (if you are)? I'm sure
it is not something you announce upon introduction to every group.
Thirdly, the issue of discriminatory jokes should be addressed by the
leadership of the group and/or advisors. If such comments bother people
then it is the hope of this brother that people would stop or, at least,
curtail their commments when around others. Does this mean they hate all
gays? Not necessarily! I know a lot of people who like racial jokes or
polish jokes or gay jokes but don't hate these groups of people. Many may
argue this statement, but I know it true from my experiences.
The above are only suggestion. You should know your brothers better than
anyone outside your chapter and can hopefully gage their acceptance or
denial of certain issues. It is probably easiest to get acceptance from a
few (especially the ones looked up to by group) before announcing to
everyone. Good Luck!
============================================================================
-- Liston Bias The mark of a true professional
Oklahoma State University is giving more than you get.
Alumni of Florida State Univ
bias@osuunx.ucc.okstate.edu
http://www.vsl.ist.ucf.edu/~hillis/liston.html
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