Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is currently seeking input from its membership regarding a potential change to the National Executive Committee’s existing policy on the initiation of transgender individuals.
At the beginning of the 2015-18 triennium, the National Executive Committee reviewed all Fraternity policies at the direction of National President Mark Lichtenberg. As a result of this review, the NEC determined that several policies should be considered for potential changes, and among these is the adopted Policy on Transgender Membership Eligibility. Currently, the policy reads:
Regarding National Constitution and Bylaws, Title I, Article I, Section Two, it is the interpretation of the National Executive Committee that an individual is eligible for status as a probationary member and initiation only if he is both legally and medically male at the time of pledging and initiation. For purposes of this policy, the term “legally” is defined as being eligible to be labeled a male on a new driver’s license or other state-issued identification. For purposes of this policy, the term “medically” is defined as being assigned the male sex by a medical doctor.
Since that time, continuing discussions on transgender membership eligibility have occurred at national and regional Sinfonia events, and the National Executive Committee is seeking input from the Brothers of Phi Mu Alpha on this important topic. A growing number of Greek organizations have recently adopted new policies on transgender membership eligibility, and the consideration of a change of standing policy is now upon Sinfonia.
If a person, in good faith, identifies as a woman, then such person is a woman for the purposes of the fraternity’s membership criteria. If an initiated member identifies as male then his membership category will be transitioned to the Friend of the Arts Distinguished Member Category, a membership category open to male members. This membership transition will be accompanied by the appropriate change in membership badge, membership card, and certificate.
from Chapter Procedures Manual, 2016 edition; policy adopted July 2015.
[/ultimate_modal]Sigma Phi Epsilon is a national Fraternity built on the brotherhood and fellowship of men. Any individual who identifies as a man is welcome to seek membership in the Fraternity. This policy is intended to uphold the mission of Sigma Phi Epsilon as a fellowship of men and should not be interpreted as changing the all-male character of the Fraternity or as a waiver of the Fraternity’s exempt status under Title IX.”
from minutes of the National Board of Directors meeting; December 2014.
[/ultimate_modal]“The Congress [voting National Convention delegate body] adopted an amendment clarifying membership eligibility to include any male as defined by valid legal documentation.
from press release by Chi Phi, June 30, 2016.
[/ultimate_modal]Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Delta Tau Delta is open to all men of superior character including transgender males.
from meeting of Arch Chapter of Delta Tau Delta, January, 2016.
[/ultimate_modal]The NEC is currently considering a change to the existing Policy on Transgender Membership Eligibility. This policy exists as a clarification of the duly established requirement set forth by the National Constitution and Bylaws that membership eligibility be limited to male students. The NEC has received requests from individual chapters and members, as well as formal input from the Council of Province Governors and the Council of Collegiate Province Representatives, recommending revisions to the existing policy. If the proposed revisions were adopted, the resulting revised Policy on Transgender Membership Eligibility would read:
Regarding National Constitution and Bylaws, Title I, Article I, Section Two, it is the interpretation of the National Executive Committee that any individual who identifies as a man is eligible for status as a probationary member and initiation. This policy is intended to uphold the Fraternity’s mission as a brotherhood of men and should not be interpreted as changing the all-male character of the Fraternity, or as a waiver of the Fraternity’s exempt status under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
The National Executive Committee invites Brothers to submit comments on the proposed revision of the Policy before it is finalized and implemented. The expressed intent of the NEC is to implement the revised Policy with an effective date of January 1, 2017. Any member in good standing may offer feedback, stating his rationale for support of, or opposition to, the proposed revisions, by sending that feedback in writing via email to
tmepolicy@sinfonia.org
Submissions will be reviewed by the National Executive Committee for consideration. Frivolous or inappropriate comments will be disregarded, as will input provided through any channel other than the email address listed above. Any submission received will be treated as Fraternity Confidential by the NEC.
