US university student claims he was kicked out of fraternity for being gay
A student at the University of Central Florida has started a campaign after he says he was made to leave a fraternity because he is openly gay.
George Dumont of Sebring said in a YouTube video that he was kicked out of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity last autumn.
He is now attempting to use social media to promote his story, including a Tumblr page titled “Worth Fighting For.”
The university says it is investigating the complaint that the 19-year-old was kicked out. He made an official complaint in February.
According to leaders at the fraternity, however, Dumont’s rejection was not linked to his sexuality. Martin Cobb, a spokesman for the fraternity said it had investigated the allegations and found no evidence to back them up.
According to Cobb, the group has had many gay and bisexual members, and 7% of undergraduate pledges in the US and Canada identify as gay or bi.
Chapters of the fraternity are forbidden for using sexuality as a reason for determining who gets in.
The president of the chapter at UCF Nat Jones said at the same time Dumont pledged, another gay student did, and was initiated in November.
“The men of Beta Theta Pi are certainly disappointed by the recent video statement indicating our chapter is intolerant based upon one’s sexual orientation,” Jones said in a statement to the Orlando Sentinel.
“Our brothers have gay relatives and gay friends, and we have long prided ourselves on being an inclusive fraternity that values diversity in all forms …”
The fraternity has not given the actual reason why Dumont was rejected, but he maintains that he met with fraternity brothers and that they told him it was because he is openly gay.
He also received a text message from members saying that certain people within the fraternity were “homophobic”, but would not name who the texts were from.
Dumont will meet with representatives from the fraternity on Tuesday, but said he would not join now if the offer was made.
The YouTube video is available to view below.
