Last July, our National Convention approved sweeping changes to our membership policies re-garding transgender members and adopted a proclamation of intent for doing so. Adopting these directives capped a two-year effort to review DLP’s membership policies, engage in deep discus-sions about gender identity and expression, and assess all of the ethical, moral, and legal dimen-sions of the issues. On the surface, the changes seem rather slight, but I believe these changes will profoundly impact DLP and could also dramatically advance the civil rights for transgender people overall.

The revisions that National Convention enacted essentially boil down to two core changes in our membership policies. First, DLP affirmed that we are a “fraternity of men,” but clarified that we define “men” according to gender identity, not physiological sex. In fact, anyone who identifies himself as a man during his college experience or at the time of initiation is eligible to join DLP (assuming he meets all other selection criteria). Second, National Convention adopted the posi-tion that we would never request any member to offer documentary proof that he is a man under any circumstances, even if we face some external legal challenge.

DLP has always admitted and accepted transgender members. We’ve admitted transgender men over the years and stuck by the adage of “once a Brother, always a Brother”, even when some of our alumni later identified as women. In 2003 and 2004, we took the step of affirmatively stating that transgender men were admissable and would not question the gender of any member, but added one qualifier: if anyone outside the fraternity ever challenged the sex of a member, the fraternity had the option of requiring some objective proof of sex (e.g., a drivers’ license or birth certificate). We also left unanswered the question of what to do about fraternity members who were initiated as men, but later became transgender women.

This year, National Convention brilliantly turned the question on its head. We essentially con-flated sex discrimination and gender discrimination together. We adopted the view that a man’s identity is not dependent only on biology, it is a complex mix of factors. We are no longer a “single-sex fraternity,” we are a “fraternity of men” because what makes a man is more than merely DNA, cells, and tissues.

From a legal perspective, we have adopted an emerging view in sex discrimination law, but pushed it further as a matter of civil rights and social justice in following our mandate to lead in determining the rights and privileges of individuals in society. Some – but not nearly all – courts have adopted the view that discrimination on the basis of gender identity is a form of discrimina-tion on the basis of sex. This view essentially says that a person’s gender identity influences an observer’s perception of sex; if that observer illegally discriminates against that person because she is actually a woman, or simply because he perceives her as a woman, the legal harm is the same. DLP took that view several steps further and simply said that perception doesn’t matter. Illegal discrimination is wrong – period – regardless of whether that discrimination is based on a person’s sex, gender identity, or gender expression. A person’s worth, dignity, and character are no more dependent on his gender identity or gender expression than his biology.

The directives that National Convention set down will go into effect this January. We have made our presence known by adopting these policies, and we will soon Make Our Presence Make a Difference in the lives of many, many people.

What is the Yell?

Centaur’s Yell is compiled and published by the Office of Communications for the brotherhood of Delta Lambda Phi.

We are always looking for stories. We want to make this publication about you, our Brotherhood and topics important to us all.

Please send us your stories, your photos, and your rants and raves, so that we can strive to create the best publication ever.

If you have questions on what to submit, or how to submit - or just need help, you can always email us.

Editorial Staff

Christopher Newmanchris.newman@dlp.org

Jeffrey Au Spaffordjeff.spafford@dlp.org

Rob Lydick rob.lydick@dlp.org

Keith Nishidakeith.nishida@dlp.org

Orie Givensorie.givens@dlp.org

Transgender Members?

Centaur’s YellVolume 2011-3

Whither OurBr. Joel Corcoran, General Counsel and Vice President for Legal Affairs, Alpha Xi

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DLF

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Br. Jeffrey M. Thompson, PhD, Trustee, Delta

Hello My Brothers,

Welcome back to another school year! I hope that many of your Chapters and Colonies had a great recruitment period this Fall and that we’ll have many excited new Brothers and Colonists by the end of the semester’s pledge education period. The new pledge education manual from the Fraternity Office is sure to be a help in getting these new members up to speed on DLP. I hope that you’ll also incorpo-rate this year’s theme: Building Brotherhood Starts with You.

Our theme is all about exploring one aspect of how we make our presence make a difference within DLP and within our communities: emphasizing that we all have a part to play in making a difference. Building Brotherhood started as soon as you came to that first Rush event or first learned about DLP. You realized that there was something special about DLP and that DLP was something that you wanted to be a part of. These were individuals who each contributed something important but, somehow, the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. A group of Brothers committed to themselves as family but also dedicated to making their campus and their community a better place. By the end of the rush period, you began to see where you fit into this group and eventually you were extended and granted a bid to join.

As a pledge, you learned about the history and traditions of the Fraternity, but even during the pledge period you were taught about making your presence make a difference through the required service project. You learned about the pledge pin and how its six sides fit together to make a continuous shape and, through pledge education, you learned that each one of you was important to the pledge class’ success; in other words, you learned that building the Brotherhood started with you because you are an essential component.

For those reading this that are Active Brothers or Colonists, you know that building your Chapter starts with you as you conduct rush and pledge education each semester. You get the chance to help others understand the purposes of DLP and send them out into the world to make their presence make a difference. Truly, I am able to write this today because twenty-five years ago one man, our founder Vernon L. Strickland, III, decided that building Brotherhood among gay, bisexual and progressive men would begin with him as he founded Delta Lambda Phi. I encourage you to treat each of your pledge classes with no less seriousness and dedication than our Founder treated that first pledge class in Washington D.C. – this is how we will keep making a difference.

Too often within our Fraternity, we allow our Alumni to fade away from the Fraternity. In doing so, we miss a tremendous opportunity in terms of the talent available for us to be successful as an organization. As we think about our theme, recognize that there is no time limit speci-fied e.g., it’s not “Building Brotherhood begins with you and ends when you graduate.” As I look forward into the next few years, I see a great need for volunteers in the Fraternity Office as well as in Local Alumni Associations supporting our Chapters. When you are graduating or considering Alumnus status (or if you’re reading this as an Alumnus), please consider keeping a part of your time and talents available for Building our Brotherhood.

In Brotherhood, Jeffrey M. Thompson, PhD

TrusteeA Letter From The National

Sacramento International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Honors 20 Years of CommittmentBr. Ernie Hall, Immediate Past Trustee, Mu & Br. Lou Camera, Board of Directors, Iota

Br. Lou Camera was honored by the Sacramento International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (SIGLFF) with the Inaugural Grand Poobah Award. This award was presented during the Festival’s 20th Anniversary Gala to recognize Br.Camera’s contribution to the festival’s success over its twenty-year history. When asked about the award, Br. Camera said “He’s honored. But more importantly, he wants to recognize the Lambda Men who helped get the festival started and the Delta Lambda Phi Alumni who continue to volunteer at the festival today.”

Br. Camera also has the distinction of being Delta Lambda Phi’s First National Executive Director, a member of our National Board of Direc-tors, Treasurer of the Delphi Foundation, and Founding Faculty for the Delta Force Leadership Academy. As you read the story in his own words below, it’s worth noting that even though the Iota Chapter is closed at the moment, the Lambda Men who embodied the chapter continue to impact their community and the DLP Alumni continue to represent our Brotherhood in Sacramento.

“I had a great experience last evening (10/1/2011). Many of you know that our Iota Chapter started the Sacramento International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival way back in 1992 along with the Sac State Gay Lesbian Alliance at Sac[ramento] State. Brother Allen Cole had been to a festival started at Fresno State and came into my office to see if Sac State could “try this out.” What he did not say is that the Fresno festival was held in a classroom at Fresno State and he wanted to rent the 976 seat classic movie house downtown - The Crest. Allen had a wonderful vision, but increased responsibilities from his employer - UC Davis Medical Center, forced him to turn his focus way from SIGLFF, but never his interest and support of the organization. Over the years other brothers have served in many capaci-ties including chair (Brothers David Demit and Michael Walker) and too many as general volunteers - even to this day.

My love of GLBT films kept me involved and I am so glad to see other chapters involved in presenting GLBT films in their community - like the Rho Chapter last month in Long Beach. I hope you do not mind that I now have a ‘new title’ – Grand Poobah. Sort of a lifetime achievement award for 20 years of service to SIGLFF. I was very pleased that Founding brother (of the Iota Chapter and the film festival) Allen Cole and Brother Brian Verkuylen (a strong and continuing supporter and volunteer) were on hand to be recognized for their work in insuring that the festival continues for 20 years.

I am very proud of the Lambda Men who made a difference in the lives of 35,000 audience members (and counting) in the Sacramento area. They continue to raise public awareness by presenting films that address issues we face each day - some-times with humor and sometimes with sadness, but always with strength.

If any chapter is interested in showing GLBT films as a fundraiser or increasing awareness, please let me know. I would like to serve as Grand Poobah to others as they endeavor to make a difference in their community. I am so proud to be part of Delta Lambda Phi and their work to create the Sacramento International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival and giving me an opportunity to play along. (Also -they are a gay group and had great taste in choosing a blown glass modern sculpture - with a small plaque instead of a plain engraved piece of metal and wood!). Thanks for letting me share and reminisce.”

The “Grand Poobah”Making a Long-Lasting Difference

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2011 20th Anniversity SIGLFF Statue from SIGLFF website

Chapter/Colony Name Actives/Associates*Alpha 15

Gamma 12Delta 9

Xi 22Rho 3Psi 20

Omega 15Alpha Alpha 15Alpha Beta 8Alpha Delta 12Alpha Rho 19Alpha Psi 14

Beta Delta 15Beta Zeta 4

Beta Lambda 4Beta Mu 7Beta Nu 8Beta Xi 14

Beta Omicron 7Beta Pi 6

Beta Rho 16Beta Sigma 11

Beta Tau 20Beta Upsilon 13

Beta Phi 10Beta Chi 18Boston 4McGill 12

Michigan State 10UCF 16

Univ of Miami 12Univ of New Mexico 7

*(as reflected in MyDLP on October 3, 2011)

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Br. Christopher Newman, M.Ed., Executive Director, Omega

Greetings Lambda Men,

Delta Lambda Phi experienced unprecedented growth last year with the opening of eight new chapters and the increase of the total active membership of our chapters and colonies. We started Fall 2010 at just above 300 members, and increased to roughly 600 members by the end of Spring 2011. You all were part of tremendous growth last year, and we thank you for all your hard work in making your presence known.

Now a new challenge presents itself: How do you retain all your members and have them commit to active membership?

Already, we are facing this challenge. We have roughly 400 active members across the continent at this point in time – down from nearly 600 at the end of the Spring. Do people, graduate/go alumni? Yes, they do (thankfully)! But according to your rosters, only 117 members have gone Alumni – so where have the eighty-three other members gone? They have either been placed Inactive or decided to disassociate altogether.

Two years ago, the Board of Directors challenged Delta Lambda Phi by creating the vision of Making Our Presence Make a Difference instead of simply Making Our Pres-ence Known. It’s not enough for us to show up and say we’re here. We have to do more meaningful things, and by doing so, keeping our members in the process.

To help rise to this challenge, the Fraternity Office launched the Standards of Excel-lence, which provides a robust set of standards for each chapter and colony to aim for achievement. These standards were based on eight different college/university Greek standards for measuring success and achievement for Chapter operations. USE THESE STANDARDS!!! If you follow these standards, not only will you be Making Your Presence Make a Difference, we will do better at engaging ourselves and retaining our members by creating more and more memories. More information on the Stan-dards of Excellence will be presented at Fall Regional Conferences or can be found in the “Standards of Excellence” space on Confluence.

As you read this, though, you may be saying to yourself, “well, that’s my President’s job” or “our Brotherhood Director, or Service Chair is supposed to make that hap-pen.” Well, maybe you have chairman, and elected leadership, but their job is not to do it all. This year, to build onto the aforementioned vision, we are emphasizing that Building Brotherhood Starts with You, which was launched at Convention in Philadel-phia and you will see more at Regional Conferences. Step up! Take a role! Our Broth-erhood, your chapter or your colony, your region, OUR FRATERNITY is only as good as what our members put into it. Inversely, you will only enjoy Delta Lambda Phi if you choose to engage and BE a part of the Brotherhood – not only an observer.

In order for us to make our presence make a difference, we must embrace that Building [our] Brotherhood Starts with YOU! And in order for us to take more steps forward, we must not only recruit new members, but let’s give them a reason to stay.

I look forward to seeing all of you at our Regional Conferences and building stronger relationships, because I must do my part as Building Brotherhood [also] Starts with ME.

Executive Director A Word From The National

Membership CountsPer Chapter

National Office Leadership

Br. Christopher NewmanNational Executive Director

Br. Martin CelayaVice President for Administration

Br. Jeffrey SpaffordVice President for Fraternity Affairs

Br. Joel CorcoranVice President for Legal Affairs

Br. Josh Powell Chief Information Officer

Mr. Mark ZolnowskiChief Financial Officer

National Alumni Association

Br. Dusty GarnerPresident

Br. Trent SmithVice President

Br. Jeremy CharlesSecretary

Br. Griffin ParsonsTreasurer

Br. Troy HoffmanAt-Large Member

Br. Morgan MorrisAt-Large Member

Br. Rob DickAt-Large Member

Br. Michael BeaversImmediate Past President

Christopher Hardgrove, Vice President, U of Miami Colony

Perceptions of Greeks in the past would probably never include high grade point averages. The colonists at the University of Miami have taken large strides to be accomplished; not only with the brotherhood, but also in the world of academia.

They currently hold the highest GPA’s in any fraternity or sorority on campus and cumulatively have a higher GPA than the average undergraduate student at the university. The “U” is also the number one university in the state of Florida and ranked 38thnationally by US News and World Report. With academic initiatives around campus, the colonists make time to focus on schoolwork and bond as a brotherhood.

The colonists also find time in their busy schedules to help out any way they can for their philan-thropy: Pridelines Youth Services.

“Pridelines Youth Services is dedicated to supporting, educating and empowering South Florida’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning youth in a safe and diverse environment.”

In the past several months, the colonists have been working on events for them including their An-nual Homecoming Dance, marched with them at Miami Beach Gay Pride Festival, and their Annual Gala. The colonists are looking forward to their philanthropy week in which all the proceeds will go directly to Pridelines. The week in-cludes teaming up with TCBY, coin wars, getting sororities on campus involved and providing awareness of the amazing organization that is Pridelines.

The colony will be teaming up with Zeta Tau Alpha this fall for their philanthropy, Breast Cancer Research and Education. The colonists will be collecting donations, eating Yoplait like it’s their job, attending multiple awareness events, and showing support to one of their favorite sororities on campus. Zeta’s week ends with a sport themed dodge ball tournament in which the colonists will be getting creative with costumes and playing their hearts out for Breast Cancer Research.

A successful rush season gave a wonderful turn out ending with five amazing guys for their Gamma pledge class. They are studying hard for pledge education and show great promise for the future of the colony. Speaking of future, the colonists are extremely excited to send out their chartering peti-tion and become brothers of Delta Lambda Phi National Social Fraternity.

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Being On TopU of M Colony Shines in Academics and CharityMembership Counts

Per Chapter

Br. Jake Young, Vice President External, Alpha Delta

Brotherhood presents many challenges. This Fall, the Alpha Delta Chapter of Delta Lambda Phi embraced its very own challenge as we inducted twelve new pledges into our chapter. In the past couple of years our chapter has been a small close knit group of brothers but, this year our Brotherhood took change to a new level.

With such well qualified men coming from all over San Diego to our rush events, we were very overwhelmed. After discussion, we decided now was the right time for us to grow as a fraternity and really make our presence known. When our pledge class of Alpha Omicron crosses into brotherhood our chapter will double in size.

This semester, our chapter will be truly put to the test. I speak for all of us when I say we are excited for the road ahead of us!

Congrats to our new pledge class of Alpha Omicron (Pictured Right):Frankie Gomez, Francois Mijares, Richard Claar, Donovan Mckinley, Gianni Cecchini, Julio Osegueda, Eduardo Mogollan, Oscar Gomez, Michael Manacop, Andrew Doll, Kevin Chong, and Jarod Aumand

ALPHA DELTA INDUCTS 12 NEW MEMBERS

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Br. Jeremy LaMaster, Alpha Rho

Julian Haas and Jeremy LaMaster are starting their year-long term on The Commission for LGBT Equity at the Pennsylvania State University. The Commission serves to improve the climate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members of the Penn State community through examination of current policies and practices, and through the initiation and promotion of programs which will result in a more equitable and supportive environment. This is accomplished through the current standing committees and through the initiation of ad hoc committees for special topics.

Br. Haas and Br. LaMaster are the co-chairs of the Students Concerns committee, and as it stands now, also the committee’s only members. Before their term ends, they hope to help secure a Special Living Option in one of the campus’s residence houses. The Spe-cial Living Option will be gender-neutral and create an affirming atmosphere for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and ally (LGBTA) students. A lot of work is being put into develop programming for the floor as well as securing students interested in the living option and working with residence life to make it a reality.

Other goals their committee has are to work towards including LGBT interests in the job descriptions of ‘diversity’ staff at Penn State’s respective colleges, to develop safe spaces for students at Penn State’s branch campuses, and to begin working on a petition that will include video testimonials for a bigger space for Penn State main campus’s LGBTA Student Resource Center.

ALPHA RHO MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN PENN STATE

LGBT COMMISSION

Br. Philip Maise, Delta Chapter

As a child, the story of the Little Red Hen was one of my favorites.

“Who will help me plant the seeds ?” “Not I,” barked the lazy dog . “Not I,” purred the sleepy cat

Delta Lambda Phi is all about learning to plant sow the seeds for future return. Each flier we put on the kiosk, each connection we make with a prospect, and each time we wear our logos around campus we are planting the seeds for a successful and strong chapter. It is so nice to be in a strong chapter with plenty of members to share the work, and plenty of activities all planned and carried out flawlessly. That is the bread, the end result of all the hard work of finding new members, getting them to join, and making our presence known. Everyone wants to enjoy the bread. Unfortunately, all too often just like the story of the Little Red Hen, the great majority of the work seems to be carried out by a few. Just like in the story, everyone else has some excuse as why they can’t work as hard, yet they are there at the table expecting the feast.

Learning to sow the seeds of a future success is one of the greatest lessons that Delta Lambda Phi will teach you. It should also teach you to open your eyes and realize that someone else is work-ing harder than you are and so it is time to get off your butt and get into gear.

When sailing around the world, I sometimes get frustrated with the work. I spend months work-ing on the boat for each week of sailing. All too often I get guys saying they would love to come along; however, when it comes down to being able to actually commit to doing the work, very few will. They want me to call them the day before I’m ready to leave port, and expect me to have stocked the boat with their favorite foods. I was recently reminded of rush here while in Ma-laysia when I went around town plastering an advertisement looking for a small local worker that could crawl through some of the tight interior spaces between the three hulls. Here I am almost 49 years old, traveling around the world, and still going around town on my bike with paper and tape plastering signs and recruiting.

So get out there and do it. You may be surprised how many years later, you are still recruiting.

CENTAUR’S YELL OP-ED

Page 5Page 5Page 7

THE SEEDS OF SUCCESSNational Board Members

Br. Jeffrey S. Thompson, PhD.National Trustee

Br. Rob GrauVice-Chairman

Br. Eric Van Sant At-Large Member

Br. Samuel BrintonNational Secretary

Br. Adam SteckelAt-Large Member

Br. Julian HaasAt-Large Member

Br. Chris ChristantoAt-Large Member

Br. Lou CameraAt-Large Member

Br. Phil HernandezAt-Large Member

Br. Jonas BirchAt-Large Member

Br. David West, Life Member

Br. Ernie HallLife Member and Immediate- Past Trustee

Br. Alexandre ChapeauxNational Treasurer

Br. Christopher Newman,National Executive Director

Br. Joel CorcoranGeneral Counsel

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BUILDING BROTHERHOOD STARTS WITH YOU

.

Central Conference

Western ConferencePalm Springs, CA - Oct. 21-23

Eastern ConferenceNew Brunswick, NJ - Oct. 14-16

MAKING O

UR PRES

ENCE

MAKE A D

IFFER

ENCE.

St. Louis, MO - Oct. 28-30

DELTA LAMBDA PHIfall REGIONAL CONFERENCES 2011