Out on Fraternity Row: Personal Accounts of Being Gay in a College Fraternity: A Collection of Essays Solicited by the Lambda 10 Project

by Shane L. Windmeyer (Editor), Lambda 10 Project

In a uncompromising and candid portrait of gay life on campus, more than thirty gay men describe their experiences inside college fraternities, their decision to either come out or keep silent, and the impact of that choice. Original. IP.

Genres: LGBT, Gay

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Ricky Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This particular book helped me to make a decision on what to expect when I decided to join the fraternity when I was in college. If it was not for this book, I probably will never join any fraternity. And because of this book, I was able to enjoy my time with my fraternity and my brothers.

[David M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was browsing the poetry section at Green Apple (arguably the greatest bookstore in the world, inarguably the greatest in San Francisco), which happens to lie right next to the "Queer Theory" shelf, which slides seamlessly and inexorably into less theoretical fare such as the complete illustrated Tom of Finland. Yes, the beefcake, not-even-very-arty porn section, which is where I spied this volume lying enticingly.

HOWEVER, after careful examination, I'm forced to conclude that this isn't actually porn. Just a bunch of sad stories about desperate longing. Porn scenarios with unhappy endings. What a bummer.

*
A description of fraternity life in the '40s, at UC Davis

There was a great deal of affection openly displayed among the members in those postwar days, with considerable hugging and sharing of beds on Sunday mornings with quantities of silly talk and giggling in the morning. I remember one member who was forever climbing onto people's laps, begging them to scratch his back. I was up to my old ways of kissing people by sneaking up when they were seated, throwing an arm lock around their neck, and kissing them on the cheek, a practice sometimes greeted with a 'Get away from me you fucking queer,' but I experienced no real hostility.

And this, with a straight brother

After a couple of beers, something, perhaps the alcohol, emboldened me, and I literally begged him to let me have oral sex with him. I was both excited and scared to death by my boldness, but to my surprise (and delight) he said, 'Sure, why not?' Afterward, he patted me on the head to console me because I began to apologize and cry for my actions.

Holy shit, this prelapsarian. Greatest generation indeed.

*
What the hell, this next guy's a tool (& yes, he's gay):

My feelings about homosexuality in fraternities are mixed. While I do not believe that any man should be denied an invitation to join a fraternity nor be expelled for being gay, I also do not feel that the fraternity world is a place to espouse a radical homosexual agenda.

Right, because I'm sure ACT-UP was threatening to stage a coup at your frat. That's kind of sad, bro.