Sep 11
10

are there laws against gay discrimination in black fraternities?

5 Comments

i’m trying to pledge a black fraternity but i cant becasue they wont let me in cause i’m gay are there laws against that?
Also i live in New York state.

I would be inclined to say that frats are private clubs that can chose their members on whatever criteria they want. If they’re allowed to exclude white people they’re also allowed to exclude gay people. Even if they aren’t allowed to exclude people because of sexual orientation, they can exclude people they just don’t like, so have fun proving it was cause you’re gay ("we just didn’t like him" would be a sufficient defense on their part) Besides, why would you want to be in a frat that clearly doesn’t want you? The point of a frat is friendship (the word fraternity is derived from the latin word for brotherhood). You can’t sue your way into that.

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Posted in Black Fraternity by admin 5 Comments

5 Responses to "are there laws against gay discrimination in black fraternities?"

  • emilyrose says:
    September 11, 2011 at 5:06 am

    I would be inclined to say that frats are private clubs that can chose their members on whatever criteria they want. If they’re allowed to exclude white people they’re also allowed to exclude gay people. Even if they aren’t allowed to exclude people because of sexual orientation, they can exclude people they just don’t like, so have fun proving it was cause you’re gay ("we just didn’t like him" would be a sufficient defense on their part) Besides, why would you want to be in a frat that clearly doesn’t want you? The point of a frat is friendship (the word fraternity is derived from the latin word for brotherhood). You can’t sue your way into that.
    References :

  • Jeff says:
    September 11, 2011 at 5:46 am

    There are no federal laws against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Some states have laws. Here is the information off the NY State Division of Human Rights website:

    IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST …

    … because of your race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, age, marital status, disability or prior arrest or conviction record, or if you believe you have been retaliated against for opposing unlawful discriminatory practices, you may be able to file a complaint with the State Division of Human Rights. The New York State Human Rights Law forbids discrimination in employment, apprenticeship and training; purchase and rental of housing and commercial space; places of public accommodation, resort and amusement; non-sectarian; tax-exempt educational institutions; and all credit transactions.

    The problem is that a fraternity may not fall into one of the categories, normally they are a private organization. If members are allowed to rent space in the fraternity house then it may fall under housing. Best bet is to contact the Human Rights Division and ask the experts.
    References :
    http://www.dhr.state.ny.us/

  • jerry says:
    September 11, 2011 at 6:22 am

    In theory, sexual preference should not be a matter they use, but we all know it is. The issue becomes, you can’t claim discrimination against a group that is inherently discriminatory. It is a fraternity, a private brotherhood based upon exclusion. Not only that, but the one you want to pledge, is a BLACK fraternity, so it does discriminate even further than other social fraternities, but excluding by race.
    If you complain, they will be able to produce 100 other reasons they didn’t take you, with the first and foremost being, "We just didn’t want him." I will tell you also, most fraternity chapters would rather lose their charter than be forced to include members they don’t want.

    My question would be, if they don’t want you, either because your gay or for any other reason, why would you still want to be in it?
    References :

  • stodgypodgy says:
    September 11, 2011 at 6:34 am

    I don’t know what rules or guidelines govern frats, but look into the human rights campaign, they will have information and can offer assistance to you.

    http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=New_York1&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=43&ContentID=12647
    References :
    i also found this site that may help you

    http://www.lambda10.org/

  • xriotstarter says:
    September 11, 2011 at 7:03 am

    there aren’t laws that discriminate against gays ANYWHERE.
    References :

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