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Delta Lambda Phi National Social Fraternity is just like any other collegiate fraternity. They rush. They pledge. They even promise an eternal bond of brotherhood.

But DLP is different in that their 2,000 members mainly identify themselves as gays, bisexuals or progressives – a roster that is relatively unheard of in the fraternity community.

The fraternity may establish itself at UCLA within the next couple of weeks and would be the first fraternity on campus devoted specifically to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The introduction of the new fraternity comes largely in response to student efforts.

The fraternity was established in 1986 and may sound familiar to some students because it once existed briefly on the UCLA campus during the 1980s before fading out from campus life for unknown reasons.

Though fraternities do not as a rule discriminate against students of different sexual orientations, Richard Passmore-Ramirez, a third-year Chicana/o

studies student, felt that it was not enough for the LGBT community.

“There still is a stigma about homosexuals in fraternities,” Passmore-Ramirez said. “It may not be vocalized, but it still is very much a heterosexual practice. They’ll have a fraternity party, but they’ll invite a sorority. ... You’ll never see two men dancing together (at a fraternity).”

So Passmore-Ramirez set out to establish a new fraternity specifically to serve that community.

He contacted DLP and soon the national fraternity was recruiting members and finding funds.

But the Interfraternity Council at UCLA has placed a moratorium on establishing any new fraternities due to personnel shortages, Passmore-Ramirez said.

The national office of DLP petitioned the council, but for the time being the fraternity will remain a special-interest group on campus rather than a regular fraternity.

An informational meeting was widely attended by interested students Tuesday night at Royce Hall.

It featured brothers from neighboring chapters, as well as Randy Hubach, the national vice president for outreach for DLP. Hubach also sits on the board of directors for DLP.

Hubach said he believes the fraternity is particularly beneficial for UCLA, because it can provide acceptance in addition to the Greek experience.

“We’re a new flavor ... (but) we’re all fraternal brothers as well, no matter what our Greek letters,” Hubach said.

Hubach maintains that DLP is a very traditional fraternity, providing the same opportunities and experiences that any other fraternity could, including leadership training, resume-building events, camping excursions and fundraisers.

“We try to make an environment that allows people to be themselves,” said Hubach.

Other organizations on campus have expressed support for the new fraternity.

“It’s a good opportunity for students to experience different things in the queer community and do community service,” said James Birks, a second-year psychology student and a board member of BlaQue, UCLA’s black queer community group.

Danny Torres, a second-year biology student and a Queer Alliance board member, said he believes the new fraternity could give students a chance to make connections within their community.

“This is another organization that provides outreach, and it provides networking,” he said.

During the meeting Tuesday night, fraternity leaders said they expect a DLP chapter to be officially established on campus in about two weeks.

DLP has not yet determined what sorts of activities they will do on campus, but chapters at other schools have social events such as an annual drag show in addition to their more traditional activities.