Michael Woodburn came out when he was 14 years old, but the junior theater and comparative literature major said he “needed a break” after high school because he didn’t want to deal with being gay and going to college.
When he came to the University as a freshman, Woodburn had already taken a year off from school after high school. What he didn’t know is that a group in which he would be accepted already existed.
Woodburn said the Alpha Xi chapter of Delta Lambda Phi — the gay, bisexual and progressive men’s fraternity on campus — offers more than just a place where members can be accepted. The fraternity is also centered on providing a social atmosphere with a focus on community service.
The 12 members of the fraternity don’t live together in a house, but they meet every Wednesday in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Alliance office, located in Suite 34 of the EMU. Woodburn, the co-president of the fraternity, said the Delta Lambda Phi national headquarters granted the fraternity its charter in April 1996. It’s the only chapter of its kind in Oregon. Since the fraternity was founded, the group has fostered brotherhood development, along with the opportunity to meet and get to know gay men in a positive atmosphere, Woodburn said.
But he also said the group is accepting of everyone regardless of race, class or background, and this has helped to diversify the fraternity.
“Fraternities are known for being white upper-class men,” Woodburn said. “In a gay community, you have people coming from different backgrounds.”
Woodburn said he hopes the fraternity can offer young men a place where they can all share a common ground.
“Being in a fraternity, I think we can contribute a positive image to young people that are thinking about going to college,” Woodburn said. “I felt comfortable meeting gay men and associating with gay men in a very fraternal way.”
Matthew Lieuallen, the secretary and treasurer of Delta Lambda Phi, said it was started in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 15, 1986, and the fraternity now includes 18 active chapters and five colonies nationwide.
“We are really excited because we just recently initiated six new members, and are really working on developing our organization,” Lieuallen said. “We work on providing a social atmosphere in which men, regardless of their sexual orientation, can be involved in a group of like-minded individuals.”
As part of the “Bridges of Pride” celebration, the fraternity members will be going to Portland to raise funds with an auction event in June. The fraternity also offers social events such as movie nights, dances, bowling and trips to the coast.
Lieuallen said community service is one the of the group’s top priorities. The fraternity will help with the 15th annual Riverwalk, sponsored by the HIV Alliance on May 19, to raise awareness in Eugene about AIDS and HIV.
“One of the most fun times I’ve had in the fraternity was when I had the opportunity to go down to San Diego last summer for our national convention,” Lieuallen said. “It was a great chance to meet and network with guys from all over the nation and just have a good time down in sunny southern California.”
Woodburn said the members attended workshops on chapter development, organization and risk management while connecting with members nationwide.
Michael Dippel, the vice president of Delta Lambda Phi, said he believes the membership of the fraternity doubled because more men are coming out and are looking for places such as this fraternity to receive guidance.
Dippel said the members face everyday prejudices, and being in a fraternity makes them more known and more visible on campus. He said usually when he tells an individual he is a member of the Delta Lambda Phi, he has to explain the purpose of the organization.
“We are slowly integrating ourselves into the system, but it’s difficult,” Dippel said.