Gamma Rho Lambda

Gamma Rho Lambda
ΓΡΛ
Founded November 20, 2003
Arizona State University, (Phoenix, 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 and      Black
Flower Sunflower
Chapters 12 active chapters
2 colonies
Members Approx. 100 Spring 2010 collegiate
Headquarters PO Box 24695
Tempe, Arizona, USA
Homepage www.gammarholambda.org

Gamma Rho Lambda (ΓΡΛ) is a social, college-based, sorority for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and allied women.[1] It has 15 active chapters and 1 colony across the United States.[2]

History

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.[3] The sorority was initially created because the founding president and members wanted an organization similar to the GBTQ-focused fraternity on campus, Sigma Phi Beta.[4]

2005

Alpha Chapter expanded to San Diego State University and Georgia Southern University.[5]

2007

University of Missouri became a colony of Gamma Rho Lambda.[6]

2008

San Diego State University gained chapter status as Beta Chapter.[7] Kansas State University became a colony of Gamma Rho Lambda.[8]

2009

California State University, Northridge, University of California, Los Angeles, Purdue University and SUNY Albany became colonies of Gamma Rho Lambda.[9] University of Missouri colony disbanded from Gamma Rho Lambda to focus more on political involvement.[10] Kansas State University gained chapter status as Delta Chapter.[11]

2010

Northern Arizona University and University of Houston became colonies of Gamma Rho Lambda.[12] Purdue University gained chapter status as Eta chapter.[9]

Gamma Rho Lambda National Sorority is currently working to establish a Foundation.[13]

Name

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").[14]

Coat of arms

Visible 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.

Chapters

Chapter City, State University
Alpha Tempe, Arizona Arizona State University
Beta San Diego, California San Diego State University
Gamma (INACTIVE) Statesboro, Georgia Georgia Southern University
Delta (INACTIVE) Manhattan, Kansas Kansas State University
Epsilon Northridge, California California State University, Northridge
Zeta Los Angeles, California University of California, Los Angeles
Eta West Lafayette, Indiana Purdue University
Theta Flagstaff, Arizona Northern Arizona University
Iota Albany, New York University at Albany, SUNY
Kappa Houston, Texas University of Houston
Lambda Berkeley, California University of California, Berkeley
Mu Riverside, California University of California, Riverside
Nu Muncie, Indiana Ball State University
Xi New Orleans, Louisiana Tulane University
Omicron Ames, Iowa Iowa State University
Pi Washington D.C. American University

Colonies

City, State University
Iowa City, Iowa University of Iowa

See also

References

  1. ↑ Shoyeb, Jacqueline (2004-03-09). "First Gay Sorority Recognized" (PDF). The State Press. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  2. ↑ Fielding, Sarah; Pettitt, Jessica (2008). "Fraternity & Sorority Transgender Resource Guide" (PDF). Lambda 10 Project. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-12-08. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
  3. ↑ Hunt, Corey (2004-03-09). "Safety a priority for rights group" (PDF). Mesa Legend. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  4. ↑ Vary, Adam E. (2004-10-12). "Rushing to Come Out" (PDF). The Advocate. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
  5. ↑ Hauswirth, Kevin (2009-12-07). "Gay and Greek at ASU". The Advocate. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
  6. ↑ Graves, Seth (2007-04-23). "Heterosexism. Sexism. Racism.". Missourian. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  7. ↑ Brown, Cindy (2008-08-20). "National All-Inclusive Sorority Founds Second Chapter" (PDF). Gamma Rho Lambda. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  8. ↑ Sanders, Molly (2009-03-26). "Senior starts new sorority, works to improve relations with other organizations". K-State Collegian. Archived from the original on 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Gamma Rho Lambda. "Gamma Rho Lambda Chapters & Colonies". Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  10. ↑ Stroup, Megan (2009-05-07). "GRL separates from national sorority to pursue activism". The Maneater. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
  11. ↑ Pride, Campus (2009-11-25). "LAMBDA 10 PROJECT: National LGBT & Straight-Ally Sorority Charters Fourth Chapter in U.S. on the campus of K-State". Campus Pride Blog. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  12. ↑ Pride, Campus (2010-01-28). "National Progressive LGBT & Straight Ally Sorority Welcomes 9th Colony at Northern Arizona University". Campus Pride Blog. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
  13. ↑ Gamma Rho Lambda. "Gamma Rho Lambda About". Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  14. ↑ Gamma Rho Lambda. "Gamma Rho Lambda Fact Sheet". Retrieved 2009-12-07.

External links