Brown University sororities allow transgender females to rush

February 3, 2016 5:35 pm

By Ana Bottary

@anabottary

Greek letter organizations have been part of Brown University for more than 170 years, but for the first time, sororities are changing the policy wording to offer transgender women the chance to join. Kappa Delta member Gabby Ansalmi thinks it’s a great opportunity.

"Everyone should have the abilities to really express themselves in whatever way possible and you should not be inhibited from joining things that you want to do," says Ansalmi.

According to the Brown Herald, the decision was made by the University’s Panhellenic council. In order to become official, the new rule had to be approved first by the three sororities, Alpha Chi Omega, Kappa Alpha, and Kappa Delta.

"I think this is a really progressive University and the liberal ideas are kind of being pushed through to the Greek life community and I like that,” says one Brown student.

"I think it very much aligns with the goals and principles of the University," adds another.

We are told the steps they are taking here at Brown is inspiring to the transgender community. One man who spoke to ABC6 says he thinks this is a step in the right direction.

"I think it is going to be a bigger step because in a few years it will be, ‘oh fraternities, oh, we can let trans men in’ because if there are trans woman going in, then why should we treat trans men and differently," says Transgender male, Kristian Barber.

Barber, a Newport native, has made strides for the LGBT community as well. As a transgender male, he was named homecoming king of Rogers High School this year.

He feels this new initiative is just another positive light on acceptance of the transgender community.

According to the Brown Herald, sororities will allow all students who identify as female to apply for membership when formal spring recruitment begins February 12th.