(Memphis) When John Blount started his college career at Christian Brothers University, he wasn’t afraid to point out what was missing, “It was something that I thought was important.”
In his first semester in 2010, he started a Gay-Straight Alliance on campus, “For us here, it’s a big deal just to have it on campus to know there is an organization that supports you and to know that there is a place for you to go.”
It might not be the same experience as some are having at the University of Memphis, but the idea is the same.
“We have a lot of fun, we have a lot of philanthropic events,” said Hunter Dawson.
Dawson is part of a U of M fraternity.
“It helps you get involved,” said Dawson. “It helps you create a family on campus.”
And that’s probably why some gay students at Middle Tennessee State University are trying to start a fraternity of their own.
The fraternity would be the first of its kind on the campus.
The students are still waiting for the University’s permission to get it started.
But the concept sits well with some students in Memphis.
“This could give them another option to see where they fit best and where they feel the most comfortable,” said Amanda Willhite, a student at Christian Brothers University.
“If somebody who was gay wanted to be a part of your fraternity would that be ok?” asked reporter Sabrina Hall.
“Totally acceptable, said Dawson. “We do not discriminate whatsoever.”
Hunter says he’s not sure that a gay fraternity is needed at the U of M because he says plenty of fraternities welcome anyone to join.
Blount says that attitude is most important, “Just make sure you let people know that you support them.”
