Open house.I wanted to thank you for the article on gay fraternity brothers, "Rushing to Come Out" [October 12]. As an openly gay brother of Pi lambda Phi Pi Lambda Phi (ΠΛΦ or Pi Lam) is a college social fraternity founded by Frederick Manfred Werner, Louis Samter Levy, and Henry Mark Fisher at Yale University in 1895. , I could connect with the stories of those who spoke of their courageous decisions to come out to their fraternity brothers. I came out while still a pledge, despite what one of my gay friends in a fraternity told me, warning that "they will never accept you as a brother if you come out while still a pledge." The brothers of what was to become my fraternity immediately accepted me without question, showing me a love and a brotherhood beyond any I could have imagined. I know there is a perception that fraternities are a beacon of hatred and intolerance, but I have experienced firsthand that with dialogue and honesty, we can change the stereotypes and ignorance of many into an understanding alliance. Michael Fell, Blacksburg, Va. Twenty years TWENTY YEARS. The lapse of twenty years raises a presumption of certain facts, and after such a time, the party against whom the presumption has been raised, will be required to prove a negative to establish his rights. 2. ago I stood on the staircase landing of the American University American University, at Washington, D.C.; United Methodist; founded by Bishop J. F. Hurst, chartered 1893, opened in 1914. It was at first a graduate school; an undergraduate college was opened in 1925. Programs provide for student research at many government institutions. Alpha Tau Omega ATΩ (Alpha Tau Omega) is an American fraternity. It annually ranks among the top ten national fraternities for number of chapters and total number of members. ATO has more than 245 active and inactive chapters with more than 175,000 members and more than 6,000 undergraduate house. It was the first rush party after graduating the previous May. As recent alums, many of my brothers felt obligated ob·li·gate tr.v. ob·li·gat·ed, ob·li·gat·ing, ob·li·gates 1. To bind, compel, or constrain by a social, legal, or moral tie. See Synonyms at force. 2. To cause to be grateful or indebted; oblige. to be there to see the next generation of Taus take the best step of their lives ... that, and the beer was cold. I knew the party would last all night, but I had made plans to meet friends for Tea Dance in Dupont Circle Dupont Circle is a traffic circle in the northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Connecticut Avenue, New Hampshire Avenue, P Street and 19th Street. . One of my brothers asked why I was leaving so early and where I was going. I looked him squarely in the eye, a tad buzzed, and said, "Badlands--wanna go?" He nodded, and we began what would be the gust of countless nights on the town. Twenty years later, the core group of us, straight and gay, fulfill the promise of Brothers for Life. We meet every other year for 36 hours of acting like 20-year-olds. The homophobic ones have drifted away. Four or five of us, I can't keep count, are openly gay. We talk and e-mail like time has not passed. I am thrilled that being gay and Greek on campus, especially at American University, has become more inclusive. Pledging ATO ATO Australian Taxation Office ATO Ambito Territoriale Ottimale (Italy) ATO Alpha Tau Omega ATO Air Traffic Organization (FAA) ATO Arab Towns Organization ATO Air Tasking Order ATO Assemble To Order was the best damn decision I have ever made in my life! Stephen Yasko, Odenton, Md. |
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