Now Accepting Speaking Dates, please call 704.277.6710 or email info@lambda10.org
 

Shane L. Windmeyer, editor of the new book Brotherhood: Gay Life in College Fraternities and co-editor of the books Out on Fraternity Row: Personal Accounts of Being Gay in a College Fraternity and Secret Sisters: Stories of Being Lesbian & Bisexual in a College Sorority, is one of the foremost educators on sexual orientation issues and Greek life. He speaks candidly about his own experience coming out to his fraternity and how homophobia hurts everyone.

Windmeyer joined Phi Delta Theta Fraternity in the Spring of 1992 and recalls coming out to his fraternity as one of his most rewarding undergraduate experiences. As a result, he founded and currently serves as coordinator of the Lambda 10 Project - National Clearinghouse for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Fraternity & Sorority Issues.

Gay or straight, Greek or non-Greek... Windmeyer opens the closet door that traditionally keeps students silenced on issues surrounding sexual orientation. He combines humor and his own personal experience to destroy stereotypes that perpetuate homophobia and sheds light on an often invisible segment of the college Greek community - our gay, lesbian, bisexual brothers & sisters.

This interactive, fun and thought-provoking presentation explores some of the myths about being gay and allows for a greater understanding of sexual orientation among all college students. Audience members will leave challenged to create stronger communities free of homophobia and to build coalitions for change on campus.

Windmeyer has been a featured guest speaker on many college campuses and released his third book titled Inspiration for LGBT Students and Their Allies in 2002 and most recently released his new book Brotherhood: Gay Life in College Fraternities in October 2005. His program is excellent for campus events such as Greek Week, National Coming Out Day, Fraternity/Sorority New Member Education Programs, Gay PRIDE and other diversity awareness programming.

 
 

Shane L. Windmeyer joined Phi Delta Theta Fraternity in the Spring of 1992 while attending Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. He recalls "coming out" to his brothers as one of his most rewarding undergraduate experiences and the inspiration for his books and LGBT educational efforts on college campuses.

One of the foremost educators today on issues of sexual orientation and Greek life, Windmeyer recently released his fourth book titled Brotherhood: Gay Life in College Fraternities October 1, 2005. The book follows up his 1998 groundbreaking, gay best-selling anthology Out on Fraternity Row: Personal Accounts of Being Gay in a College Fraternity and his companion book released in 2001 titled Secret Sisters: Stories of Being Lesbian & Bisexual in a College Sorority.

Windmeyer founded and currently serves as coordinator of the Lambda 10 Project -- National Clearinghouse for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Fraternity & Sorority Issues to help support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender members of the college fraternity and to educate on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression within the college Greek system. 

Windmeyer has been a guest speaker on over 500+ college campuses since the release of his first book in 1998 and has presented at numerous educational conferences dealing with Greek life and, or gay, lesbian, bisexual issues on local, regional and inter/national levels. Windmeyer has been featured on the PBS Special Fall Season Premiere episode of IN THE LIFE TV and his work has been the focus of national attention from the New York Times, TIME Magazine and Rolling Stone. His educational efforts also have been noted by national press such as The Advocate National Gay NewsMagazine, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Indianapolis Star, Salon Magazine, HERO Magazine, U. Magazine and the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Windmeyer graduated from Emporia State University with a bachelors degree in Communication and received his master degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from Indiana University. Windmeyer lives in Charlotte, N.C. and also serves as the founder/coordinator for STOPHATE.org and CampusPride.Net. Windmeyer released in 2002 his third book titled Inspiration for LGBT Students and Their Allies and is currently working on a new book due out in 2006 titled The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students.
 
 
Developed in the Fall of 1995, the Lambda 10 Project - National Clearinghouse for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Fraternity & Sorority Issues works to heighten the visibility of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members of the college fraternity by serving as a clearinghouse for resources and educational materials related to sexual orientation and gender identity/expression as it pertains to the fraternity/sorority experience. Lambda 10 Project is an associate member of the Association of Fraternity Advisors and is housed in the Office of Student Ethics and Anti-harassment Programs at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
 
 
 
Shane's program was a huge success on our campus, bringing together over 300 students of our 2200 enrollment. Shane blended humor, fact, and personal experiences together to approach the topic of sexual orientation in a very non-intimidating and easy to relate to fashion... Above all, Shane's program allowed our students to begin a dialogue concerning advocacy for our GLBT students within and outside of the Greek community. Greek or not, I would highly recommend Shane Windmeyer's program for all campuses.
Raphaella Palmer, Director of Student Programs, Millikin University

Shane Windmeyer is bridging the divide between the Greek system and campus Queer organizations. By presenting a Greek-friendly Queer perspective and a Queer-friendly Greek perspective, he encouraged us to reconsider the prejudices and stereotypes that exist on both sides of the divide. Shane has shown us how Greek members can be supportive of their Queer sisters and brothers... we highly encourage other organizations -- both Greek and Queer -- to bring Shane's enlightening perspective to their campus.
Common Ground, Bradley University

Your humor was especially effective at taking the edge off of what could be a very sensitive topic. The day after your program, my IFC president told me it was one of the best presentations he has ever heard. He went to dinner with some of his chapter members following the program, and the conversation between his brothers was unlike anything he has heard before. My hope was that your presence on campus would begin a much-needed dialogue within our fraternity and sorority community Ð and I believe it has.
Jim Johnson, Assistant Director of Student Development, University of Southern Indiana

"Out on Fraternity Row" was honestly one of the best things we have sponsored on our campus this year! For the first time in our southern, conservative campus, the subject of homosexuality was openly discussed and for many, accepted! Keep faith that your message does not fall on deaf ears... students are changing their mindsets and their behavior because of you! I would recommend this program to any campus or Greek system that values open dialogue and education on diversity issues, because of the difference that I have seen it make at Vanderbilt recently.
Kate Tanis, Greek Advisor, Vanderbilt University

I am fully aware of the homophobia that comes from men and women in the Greek community. Because of the stereotypes, beliefs, and fears of so many people, having someone like Shane come to our campus and address these issues was absolutely necessary... Shane is not only a truly magnificent speaker, but a wonderful person as well. His words will have an ever-lasting impact upon me.
Daniel A. Mencher, IFC & Delta Upsilon International Fraternity, University of Massachusetts--Amherst

Often times, students are afraid to discuss the topic of homosexuals in fraternities and sororities, but you made our audience feel comfortable exploring this issue. Many of our students, especially the fraternity men, came into the presentation with their "cool caps" on, but your humorous anecdotes and audience participation activities truly broke the ice with these students. I believe you have made a lasting impact and I want to thank you for bringing the wonderful work that you do to Johnson & Wales University.
George A. Miller, Greek Program Advisor, Johnson & Wales University

Without a doubt, this program should be "mandatory" for every Greek student, male or female, gay or straight. Whether individuals want to believe it or not, gay, lesbian, and bisexual students are in our fraternities and sororities. They are your big brothers, big sisters, chapter presidents, chapter officers, new members and alumni. We need to learn to take care of our brothers and sisters, and make sure that their Greek experiences are positive ones, such as Shane's!
Kelly Jo Karnes, Assistant Director for Greek Programs, University of Kansas
 
 
My suggestions for heterosexual fraternity and sorority students is to attempt to be understanding if a brother or sister comes out to you. They are still the same person... Besides, you should feel honored that your brother or sister trusted you enough to reveal something so personal and revealing. They will be extremely vulnerable and will need someone to listen.

Almost everyone was strongly supportive of me. There were those, however, who admitted that they had originally been very uncomfortable about homosexuality, but my being a homosexual served as an example that homosexuals are like everyone else.

The homophobia held by others in my fraternity... was much more blatant and descriptive. Vivid and violent comments about gay men's sexual acts were spoken for guaranteed laughs and to ensure that homosexual hatred was shared. It was made quite clear to me that queers were seen as weak, lesser and feared individuals.

Also, it seemed sometimes that my brothers acted homophobic in hopes of proving that they were heterosexual. Displaying dislike toward gays was a way to authenticate their manhood.

So when asked why I wanted to join a fraternity, I had one answer... to meet women and become sexually involved with them so that I would not end up gay.

Not until now have I really understood how my involvement in certain activities in college can be interpreted as a search for three things: a need for increased self-esteem, a need to be close with other men and a need to deny myself that I was indeed gay.
 
 

Dear Lambda 10...

Being gay and a member of the Greek community has been a frustrating experience to say the least. Because of the intense paranoia people have about gay individuals, I have only admitted my sexual orientation to one other person. There is no doubt whatsoever that I would have been pushed out of my chapter had my homosexuality been revealed, and my fraternity experience meant too much to me to risk losing it that way. Therefore, if I wanted to stay Greek and active in my fraternity, I had to "be" straight. It wasn't hard, as I've had to do that my whole life. But I feel that no one really knows me as I am.

I am the kind of guy no one would ever think was gay, other than the fact that I haven't seriously dated a woman in a very long time. I'm straight-acting, frequently hit on by lovely women, president of my fraternity chapter as a senior, etc. But as much as I want to be straight, I know I'm not, and I suppose I never will be. It's really difficult for me to realize that the contributions I made to one of our national fraternity's top chapters would be completely discounted had my sexuality been made public. I wasn't president of some lame chapter: we're one of the best they've got! And we're consistently selected as the top fraternity on campus. Yet for me to have admitted being gay would have instantly discredited me from any values I brought to the chapter.

One of our chapter brothers was coming to terms with his homosexuality, but found himself ostracized because of it. We were notified a couple of years later that he had committed suicide, feeling alone and pushed aside from both family and friends. Yes, he was dealing with issues other than his sexuality that led to such a tragedy, but his inability to find acceptance from those he wanted it from was undeniably a significant factor. Yet I'm not sure things changed much in the minds of our active members and alumni. I know of at least one other from our chapter who is gay, yet held significant leadership roles within the chapter while active. I wonder how many more. If our brothers could see what goes on in the minds of closeted gay members when homophobic slurs fly around the house, would they care? If I was truly a brother when I was seen as straight, why can't I be as a homosexual as well? My deep friendship and unquestioning loyalty to my brothers were never suspect before; why would my being gay change anything?

I am still closeted, and might possibly be so the rest of my life. I care too much about some relationships between relatives and friends to admit my sexuality right now. My parents are just not ready to handle that reality, and my fraternal friendships still mean too much to throw them away. Yet I know that I will never be able to "act" my way to being straight. I think this book will show that I'm not alone in my experience. There are many men in fraternities who are gay, but live a straight life for fear of being shunned. Some would really be surprised to learn of certain chapter members being gay. Indeed, I know of homosexual men in every fraternity on campus. But until the larger Greek community is ready to be a brother or sister to another person regardless of his or her sexual orientation, these Greek members will continue to live a lie among their chapters, trading their true identity for a chance to belong.