Sigma Phi Beta creates a safe-space within the traditional Greek fraternity system, not normally available to gay and allied students. Our brothers have many opportunities for participate in fun and rewarding events while upholding the purpose and mission of Sigma Phi Beta. As a brother, you build strength, confidence, and brotherhood. Our brotherhood is extremely diverse and encourages the development of self-identity, without the pressures of being in a hetero-normative organization.
If you attend a school where there has already been a chapter established, you will attended rush events hosted by that chapter. Rush events are informal social events where you can meet the brothers of the chapter and better determine if you are interested in joining. After attending rush, there is an 8 week pledge process where you learn what it takes to become a brother of Sigma Phi Beta. The pledge process is challenging but will be a very unique experience that you will never forget. If you attend a school where not chapter has been established, you may be eligible to start a colony at your school. Contact the Director of Expansion for more details on starting a colony.
LBGT student clubs and organizations are great for the student community. We encourage our members to participate is student clubs and organizations and we definitely integrate well with other organizations as well. However, Sigma Phi Beta is very different from a club and goes beyond what any club can provide. We offer benefits that others clubs and organizations cannot. We focus on brotherhood where you develop unique and intimate relationships with other members while actively participating in events on and off campus. Being integrated into the Greek campus community provides our members the opportunity to associate with other fraternities and sororities on campus and participate in exciting and rewarding events. Our chapters also have many campus-based resources available to them such as access to campus services, advisors, monetary funds, and educational support. Ritual is also a unique aspect of the fraternity, which you can only truly experience once you become a brother.
Sigma Phi Beta is based on a traditional Greek, fraternal organization. Our membership process is similar to many other fraternities and we strive for many common goals. The biggest difference and benefit we have over a traditional fraternity is that we create a safe space for our members where they are free from homophobia. Our members can develop the fraternal bonds that traditional fraternity members do, but our diversity allows our members to be themselves without the social pressures from non-queer based organizations.
Our brothers often participate in brother retreats, educational seminars, national conventions, business meetings, fraternity socials, overall brotherhood bonding, social events, community service, gay pride events, fraternity ritual, political campaigns, philanthropic events, and much more.
No, Sigma Phi Beta Fraternity is one of only several similar national, fraternal organizations in the country. However, Sigma Phi Beta Fraternity is the only national, collegiate-based, gay and allied fraternity. As a national organization, we provide continuous support and resources to our chapters.
Since our fraternity is collegiate-based, our chapters are recognized by the school at which the chapter is chartered and our members continuously play an active role in both the local Greek and campus communities. Sigma Phi Beta is also on a path to become part of the national Greek community by joining the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), which other non-collegiate based gay and allied fraternities are not eligible for membership. The North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) is a confederation of 69 men's college fraternities with over 5,300 chapters on more than 800 campuses throughout Canada and the United States. The NIC represents over 350,000 collegiate members and four and one half million alumni. Its volunteer leaders and professional staff serve fraternity leaders in university, government, and media relations. The promotion of scholarship, leadership, service, and friendship among fraternity members is the NIC's purpose.
Sigma Phi Beta practices the five tenets of brotherhood: trust, respect, loyalty, secrecy, and solidarity. As a brother you will learn more about the tenets and how they integrate into your life. Our members depend on each other for support and can look forward to engaging in fun and unique activities with their brothers. We also value brotherhood, diversity, leadership, education, scholarship, Greek Life, member rights, community service, tradition, and the overall Queer experience in a hetero-normative society. Sigma Phi Beta Fraternity strives to maintain its male gender identity in accordance with tradition and the desire to develop fraternal bonds.
As a brother of Sigma Phi Beta, your involvement in the national LGBT community is up to you. Many of our members are very involved in the LBGT community because the fraternity provides the resources and an outlet to do so. As a national queer organization, we strive for the equality of all our members and are well respected by both the straight and gay communities. Due to our reputation and past involvement in the LBGT community, many LGBT community leaders have endorsed us.
"Getting involved with Sigma Phi Beta will help you learn more about yourself and others, and build our community while you are on your way to greater personal and professional success."
-Neil Giuliano
President, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and Former Mayor of Tempe, Arizona, 1994-2004"Sigma Phi Beta is a progressive organization that wants to help students reach their goals and build meaningful, personal relationships. In addition to focusing on brotherly bonds, the fraternity is leading the way in LGBTQ equality and integration in the Greek life community."
-Kyrsten Sinema
Arizona District 15 State Representative
"GLSEN is pleased and honored to be selected as Sigma Phi Beta's first national philanthropic partner. Members of Sigma Phi Beta know better than most the realities that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students face in America's schools. Their support for our vision—a future where every child learns to accept and respect all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity—will help ensure safer, more inclusive schools for all students who follow in their footsteps."
- Kevin Jennings, GLSEN Founder and Executive Director
• I am a student who would like to start a chapter at my school.
• I am a student who would like to join an existing chapter.
• I am a member of the media and I would like to request a copy of Sigma Phi Beta's media kit.
