Brotherhood: Gay Life in College Fraternities

by Shane L. Windmeyer (Editor)

Since the 1998 publication of his groundbreaking book Out on Fraternity Row, editor and Lambda 10 Project founder Shane Windmeyer has witnessed many changes in the reception and treatment of gay fraternity brothers. "We have made tremendous progress on men coming out to their brothers and being more likely to find acceptance due to the credo 'once a brother, always a brother,' but the new challenge and logical next boundary to break down for the fraternity closet is rushing openly gay."

His new book, Brotherhood, is a bold step in that direction. Windmeyer reveals a 10-year perspective of progress on gay issues within college fraternities and suggests a 10-year plan to continue educational efforts for further systemic implementation to combat homophobia in fraternities. Windmeyer and others involved in the Lambda 10 Project provide valuable articles on:

* Hazing and homophobia
* Trials and tribulations of rushing openly gay
* How to be an ally to a gay brother
* Successfully adding sexual orientation to a fraternity nondiscrimination statement

And in addition to new, true accounts by gay fraternity members about their experiences coming out over the past decade, Brotherhood includes numerous stories by gay men concerning the reception they received when they did not hide their sexual orientation while rushing. This is a must-read book for high school advisors, anyone involved in college life, and young men intent on rushing a fraternity.

Shane Windmeyer (Phi Delta Theta) is the co-editor of Out on Fraternity Row and the founder of the Lambda 10 Project, a clearinghouse for gay fraternity issues. His educational work as an activist on gay fraternity issues has been profiled in TIME, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Advocate, and Out, and on the websites UMagazine, mtvU, Salon, and elsewhere. He is also co-editor of Secret Sisters and the author of Inspiration for LGBT Students & Their Allies. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Genres: LGBT, Queer, Education

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[John Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A convicting read that was given to me by a friend. It is a collection of narratives written by gay men involved in some way, shape, or form with greek life during their undergraduate experiences. Published in 2005, it is unfortunately evident that very little progress has been made in the 16 years since this book was published (at least in my experience in Greek Life). As a straight, white, ex-fraternal man, I have serious regrets and shame about my own homophobia in the past through my words, actions, and participation in a largely homophobic (and racist) institution. Surely I have encountered and expressed both intentional and internal homophobia towards closeted and sometimes out individuals and friends around me and for that I'm sorry. I am thankful to the LGBTQ+ friends/people in my life that have been patient with me, forgiven me, educated me, and loved me so well.

I wish I could go back and not say things I did. I wish I could go back and call out the disgustingly blatant homophobia of others around me. I wish I didn't justify my homophobia for all those years because I felt I was "better than the street preachers" or "better than the bullies." I can't change any of those things, but I will continue to repent of it, seek forgiveness, and work towards improving as an ally to those around me.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting and I appreciated how it attempted to challenge the stereotypes of the Greek frat life. However I ultimately found it disappointing because many authors seem to take this attitude of "frats aren't so bad because some accept individual gays" while at the same time those frats, frat brothers, and gay brothers themselves mock and deride 'faggy' aka effeminate, flamey, and/or insufficiently masculine men. And yet no one speaks up about this. It becomes clear after reading this book that some frats do allow gay men, as long as these gay men buy into a sexist system that devalues all things feminine in the name of valuing brotherhood.



The ugly reality is that even 7 years after Lambda 10 published their first book about gay men in frats and despite the vast gains in social acceptance of gays and lesbians, being gay is still difficult (if not impossible) and often involves selling out other gay men to get a scrap of frat boy approval.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing more than a collection of stories, but it was occasionally insightful. As an aspiring college administrator, I believe it has helped shape some of my perspectives on Greek Life.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The individual stories are a good read, but I felt it does get a little repetitive. There are a lot of great resources in the back for professionals to do more research.