Rush was a few weeks ago. Fraternities and sororities at Emory plastered the campus with flyers and advertisements. On Facebook, rush events popped up everywhere, encouraging students to join Greek Life. However, the representation and acceptance of LGBTQIA people by frat brothers and sorority sisters here at Emory is a topic that is taboo and has not been investigated enough. I've definitely seen a frat brother say, "that's gay, bro," when describing something that was stupid, but not actually gay. And one of the (many) things that deterred me from rushing a sorority was my concern that they would not accept me for who I am (a queer bisexual woman).
What's Emory Greek Life's stance on LGBTQIA people? In my autoethnography, I explored this question.
What's Emory Greek Life's stance on LGBTQIA people? In my autoethnography, I explored this question.
At first, I wanted to interview members of Emory Greek Life and members and Emory Pride, an LGBT organization. I wanted to know what was Greek Life's view on LGBT people and what was Pride's view on people in Greek Life. However, I then realized that I already knew what Pride's view on people in Greek Life was, as a member of Emory Pride myself. I figured that the people in Emory Pride would derogate Emory Greek Life's notorious reputation for sexual violence, especially in fraternity settings, and especially against women.
And so, I decided to focus on the fraternities. I interviewed three of my friends who are a part of a fraternity at Emory, and asked them what was their fraternity's stance on LGBT life, and how we can change the rape culture mindset at Emory. After finishing my interviews, I wanted to get a sorority sister's point of view as well. Sarah, the sister I interviewed, wanted to be interviewed anonymously.
And so, I decided to focus on the fraternities. I interviewed three of my friends who are a part of a fraternity at Emory, and asked them what was their fraternity's stance on LGBT life, and how we can change the rape culture mindset at Emory. After finishing my interviews, I wanted to get a sorority sister's point of view as well. Sarah, the sister I interviewed, wanted to be interviewed anonymously.