Arizona State University's Panhellenic Council set a groundbreaking precedent in February and officially recognized the nation's first lesbian sorority, Gamma Rho Lambda.
\The reception has been quite great,"" Gamma Rho Lambda founder and president Joanne Martens said.
Martens credits ASU's gay fraternity Sigma Phi Beta, established fall 2003, as her inspiration to form the sorority.
""I came up to them and said, 'Sign me up,'"" she said.
Despite her enthusiasm Martens was denied due to her gender.
""I asked them where the sorority was and they said there wasn't one,"" Martens said. ""I figured, 'Why not have one?'""
From there, Martens began organizing a group of students that also were interested in starting such a sorority. Using the Internet, Martens advertised her interest and was able to recruit more than 30 girls interested in joining the sorority and eventually the group was narrowed to 12.
Finally, about three weeks ago, a vote was taken in the ASU Panhellenic Council. After the approval of eight out of the 12 existing ASU sororities, Gamma Rho Lambda became an official sorority.
With the admission of Gamma Rho Lambda, ASU became the first university to officially recognize both a gay-focused fraternity and a lesbian-focused sorority. This has raised speculation at UW-Madison as to whether a fraternity or sorority of a similar nature will come to exist here.
Erik Trekell, director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Campus Center said the idea has not been addressed.
""I don't think people have really discussed it,"" he said.
Interfraternity Council President Brandon Strickland said that while the issue has not come up during his time in the IFC, admission and recognition of a gay or lesbian Greek organization would certainly not be out of the question.
Ed Mericki, advisor of the Student Organization Office, agreed with Strickland.
""I haven't seen anything to date to say that that type of organization would not be welcomed here,"" he said. ""I've never heard of anyone who would be resistant to [admitting a gay or lesbian Greek organization].""
Since the establishment of Gamma Rho Lambda at Arizona, Martens said the sorority has received membership interest from Florida State University, in addition to colleges in New York and California.
