Sister and Brother Outsiders: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Members of Historically Black Fraternities and Sororities Authors: Natalie T. J. Tindall, Nikita Harris, Reynaldo Anderson, Matthew Hughey Research indicates...
moreSister and Brother Outsiders: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Members of Historically Black Fraternities and Sororities
Authors: Natalie T. J. Tindall, Nikita Harris, Reynaldo Anderson, Matthew Hughey
Research indicates that Black sororities and fraternities (also known as Black Greek-letter organizations or BGLOs) are replete with homophobia and heterosexism. Together, these fears and ideological systems create a complex world of governed by a structure of heteronormativity. Although lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are members of BGLOs, little information exists about these members experience homophobia or sexual preference discrimination within the insular world of BGLOs. Consequently, scholars possess scant information on how these members engage in identity and visibility management strategies as lesbian, gay, or bisexual people and as active members of their BGLO. As a touchstone for analysis, this paper takes on BGLO culture as a site of marginalization for members who fall outside the implicit expectations of heteronormativity. In specific, the authors examine how gay, lesbian, and bisexual members navigate this complex and complicated setting in which they experience a simultaneous insider and outsider status within a system dedicated to strengthening fictive kinship, racial uplift, and academic achievement.