Gamma Rho Lambda chapter leaves nationals

The MU chapter was created in 2007 as a safe space.

By Megan Stroup

Published May 4, 2009

The Delta colony of Gamma Rho Lambda at MU separated from its national organization.

President Yantézia Patrick confirmed the colony has left the national Gamma Rho Lambda organization, but said she cannot share the logistics of the separation at this time.

The Alpha chapter of Gamma Rho Lambda was founded with 12 members at Arizona State University in 2003.

The sorority was established as a social support system for lesbian, bisexual, transgender and alternative lifestyle-friendly female students, according to the MU Gamma Rho Lambda Web site.

A second chapter was founded at San Diego State University in 2005 and Gamma Rho Lambda also has colonies at Kansas State University and MU.

The Delta colony at MU was established in 2007 by a group of people that believed there was a need for a safe space for forward-thinking, progressive people on campus, according to the MU Gamma Rho Lambda Web site.

The MU colony Web site was taken down on Monday.

Patrick said the Delta colony will no longer be recognized as Gamma Rho Lambda because the national organization owns the rights to that name, but the group will still be a presence on campus.

"We will continue to tackle issues of social injustice on our campus, in the Columbia community and in our world," Patrick said in an e-mail. "We wish to reach beyond the LGBTQAI community."

Patrick said the colony is doing a lot of planning this summer and hopes to be well established in the fall.

"We have things to say and injustices we want to bring to your attention," Patrick said.