Gamma Rho Lambda

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Gamma Rho Lambda
(ΓΡΛ)
Image:Gamma Rho Lambda Crest.jpg
Founded August 25, 2003 (2003-08-25) (age 4)
Arizona State University, (Tempe, Arizona)
Type Social
Scope National
Mission Statement Gamma Rho Lambda National Sorority is an all-inclusive woman's social sorority exemplifying the qualities of tolerance, diversity, unity, and trust, which provides a network of assistance in the areas of scholastic guidance, emotional support, and community service while ultimately developing the lifelong bonds of sisterhood.
Colors ████ Purple

████ Black
Flower Sunflower
Chapters 1 chapter

2 colonies
Members 52 currently
lifetime
Headquarters PO Box 24695
Tempe, Arizona, USA
Homepage http://www.gammarholambda.org

Gamma Rho Lambda (ΓΡΛ) is the first college-based, LBTQ sorority which is not exclusive to women of a particular race or sexual orientation. They were founded in 2003 at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona[1]. The sorority was established as a social support system for lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and alternative lifestyle-friendly female students, embodying an open and diverse environment for all of its members[2]. The sorority strived to break down barriers between the LGBTQ community and the greater community[3].

Contents

[edit] History

Eleven of the twelve founders of Gamma Rho Lambda
Eleven of the twelve founders of Gamma Rho Lambda

Gamma Rho Lambda, Alpha Chapter, was founded in the Fall of 2003 by 12 original members at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. The sorority was initially founded because the members wanted an organization similar to the GBTQ-focused fraternity on campus, Sigma Phi Beta[4]. The founding sisters recognized the specific challenges that lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and allied women faced in their development and wanted a college-based social system, more than just a women's club, that helped women face these challenges[5].

In 2005, Gamma Rho Lambda began the task of expanding nationally, as they had been approached by women at both Georgia Southern University and San Diego State University[6]. Over the course of the next year, Gamma Rho Lambda worked to expand to these campuses, functioning in a national and local capacity at the same time[7].

In 2006, with enough alumni members to support a national council, Gamma Rho Lambda National Sorority became independent of Alpha Chapter. In this same year, Gamma Rho Lambda also expanded to the University of Missouri[8]. Unfortunately, one year later, in 2007, GSU lost their member base and went inactive.

Since that time, with one chapter and two colonies, Gamma Rho Lambda National Sorority has been continuing to expand to other states and working to establish a Foundation.

[edit] Name Meaning

The Lambda symbol was adopted by the New York City's Gay Activists' Alliance in the 1970s during the Stonewall Riots. Since then, the Lambda has spread as a symbol for the gay liberation movement. Because of its history, the Lambda was chosen to be a letter in the sorority’s Greek name. The Gamma and Rho symbols were chosen because with the Lambda symbol, they spell GRL ("girl")[9].

[edit] Symbols

[edit] Colors

Purple and Black - Purple is often representative of homosexuality, bisexuality, and pride. Black was the color of the upside-down triangle often used to mark outspoken or progressive women during the holocaust. For these reasons, Gamma Rho Lambda chose purple and black for their colors.

[edit] Flower

Sunflower - Gamma Rho Lambda chose the sunflower because it symbolizes pride.

[edit] Mascot

Wolf - The wolf is Gamma Rho Lambda's mascot which represents loyalty, success, perseverance, stability, thought, guidance, intuition, learning and spirit.

[edit] Coat of Arms

The Gamma Rho Lambda Coat of Arms was designed by the founding sisters. It was originally sketched by one of the founders, and later redrawn by another founding member. Each symbol in the coat of arms has a specific meaning. Symbols in the coat of arms include the Lioness, the Bear, the Unicorn, the Crown of Thorns, the Metal Crown, the Isle of Lesbos symbol with Shaking Hands, the Upside Down Black Triangle, the Eye of Horus, the Hand, the Sword, the Ivy Leaf Vine, the Elephant Tusk, and the Cinquefoil.

[edit] Chapters and Colonies

Gamma Rho Lambda National Sorority has one active chapter at Arizona State University and two colonies, one at San Diego State University and one at the University of Missouri. Both colonies are expected to gain chapter status in 2008[10].

[edit] Chapters

Chapter State University Date Founded
Alpha Arizona Arizona State University 2003
Beta - Inactive Georgia Georgia Southern University 2006

[edit] Colonies

State University Website
California San Diego State University GRL SDSU
Missouri University of Missouri GRL Mizzou

[edit] References

  1. ^ Shoyeb, Jacqueline (February 14, 2004). "First Gay Sorority Recognized". The State Press, p. 1-2.
  2. ^ Hunt, Corey. "Safety a priority for rights group", Mesa Legend, 2004-3-9. Retrieved on 2008-03-17. 
  3. ^ Gamma Rho Lambda. Gamma Rho Lambda History. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
  4. ^ Vary, Adam E.. "Rushing to Come Out", The Advocate, 2004-10-12. Retrieved on 2008-03-17. 
  5. ^ Gamma Rho Lambda. Gamma Rho Lambda Mission and Purpose. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
  6. ^ Gamma Rho Lambda. Gamma Rho Lambda History. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
  7. ^ Hauswirth, Kevin. "Gay and Greek at ASU", The Advocate, 2005-08-30. Retrieved on 2008-03-17. 
  8. ^ Gamma Rho Lambda. Gamma Rho Lambda History. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
  9. ^ Gamma Rho Lambda. Gamma Rho Lambda Fact Sheet. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
  10. ^ Gamma Rho Lambda. Gamma Rho Lambda - About. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.

[edit] External links