What We Think

Public discussion of this systematic problem has been minimal, and official responses have ranged from secretive to invisible. These events cannot be regarded as separate in the eyes of the University. There is a clear pattern of antigay bias acts in the University of Chicago community, many of which occur at Greek-sponsored events or involve fraternity members. A significant proportion of the student body is involved with the Greek system, which comprises eleven fraternities, three Panhellenic sororities, and in total an estimated 10% of the undergraduate population. We believe that the Greek system, as individuals and as a collective, shares in wanting to work for a change.

A broad coalition of students is forming in response to this problem, queer and straight alike, including many representatives from fraternities and sororities. We are outraged at the frequency and nature of these incidents and we believe that a change in the culture of this campus must start now. An academic environment must be a safe and comfortable place for all students to participate, socially as well as academically.

QueerSafeCampus is not calling for a change in University policy, in particular how it punishes acts taken to be in discordance with its nondiscrimination clauses. Insead, this site is devoted to trying to raise awareness and galvanize a constructive response among the many who think that there is no place for bias acts in our community.