In Washington, DC, in October 1986, three elderly gentlemen
established a trust to create a social fraternity that wouldn't
discriminate based on sexual orientation; the donors regretted
such an alternative organization did not exist during their
formative years. As Trustee, Vernon L. Strickland, III,
administered the founding of Delta Lambda Phi National Social
Fraternity, creating its crest, selecting its mascot and
designing its rituals. In April 1987, Strickland initiated 24 men
into the Fraternity's Alpha Chapter — Delta Lambda Phi was
born.Since then, Delta Lambda Phi, a fraternity for gay, bisexual, and progressive men, has become one of the country's fastest growing fraternities with chapters from coast to coast.
Founding Purposes
- To provide dignified and purposeful, social, service, and recreational activities for progressive men, irrespective of sexual orientation.
- To lead in determining the rights and privileges of individuals in society.
- To promote a strong and positive image, which respects the diversity of all individuals, irrespective of sexual orientation.
The Alpha Delta Chapter was formed at San Diego State University
in 1992. In 1999, the chapter became a multi-campus chapter,
accepting students from all colleges and universities in the
San Diego area. Current and alumni members are from SDSU,
University of California - San Diego (UCSD), University of
San Diego (USD), Southwestern College, Mesa College, San Diego
City College, Grossmont College, and the Art Institute of
California - San Diego.
Membership is open to all college and university students
regardless of sexual orientation.
The symbols that unite our Brothers say much about Delta
Lambda Phi. What others may hide in shame, we boldly embrace
with pride.
Colors : Green, Gold and White
Flower : Yellow Rose
Motto : Lambda Men Are Making Their Presence Known!
Song : Delta Phi (There Once Was a Mighty Lambda Man)
Fraternity Cheer : Lambda Men All the Time
Crest
The Crest of Delta Lambda Phi is comprised of eleven elements,
each of which has its own important meaning.
Some of these elements are:
Open Visor : Represents Delta Lambda Phi is a non-secret society.
Scales : Represent the delicate balance of social equity and the distribution of justice.
Inverse Triangle : The persecution of gays by the Nazis and their continued persecution today.
Lambda : The lowercase lambda represents the gay rights movement.
Stars : Represent the first three chapters (Alpha, Washington, DC; Beta, San Diego, CA; and Gamma, UCLA) and the three founding purposes.
In order to learn more about our Crest, you will need to pledge and become a Brother!
Mascot
The Centaur
The fraternity's mascot is the centaur, which is modeled after Chiron, the son of Cronus and Philyra, and the only immortal centaur. Unlike other centaurs in Greek mythology, who were regarded as bestial and monsterous, Chiron was gentle and wise. He was famed as the tutor of Achilles, Asclepius, Heracles, Jason, Theseus, and others. After his death, Chiron became the constellation Sagittarius.
Adapted from Greek mythology and redefined, the Centaur embodies the essence of masculinity. The faternity's depiction of the Centaur differs from that of classic Greek mythology. While both the ancient Greek and Delta Lambda Phi versions depict a muscular half-man/half-horse form, the Lambda Centaur is clean shaven with short hair and bears resemblance to a young man.
Ancient Greek mythology presented the centaur as a long haired, bearded creature with shaggy hair covering most of his body.
The straining, extended hand of the Lambda Centaur as he reaches for those experiences just beyond his grasp reemphasizes the enduring internal and external strength of the Lambda Man.
Colors : Green, Gold and White
Flower : Yellow Rose
Motto : Lambda Men Are Making Their Presence Known!
Song : Delta Phi (There Once Was a Mighty Lambda Man)
Fraternity Cheer : Lambda Men All the Time
Crest
The Crest of Delta Lambda Phi is comprised of eleven elements,
each of which has its own important meaning.
Some of these elements are:Open Visor : Represents Delta Lambda Phi is a non-secret society.
Scales : Represent the delicate balance of social equity and the distribution of justice.
Inverse Triangle : The persecution of gays by the Nazis and their continued persecution today.
Lambda : The lowercase lambda represents the gay rights movement.
Stars : Represent the first three chapters (Alpha, Washington, DC; Beta, San Diego, CA; and Gamma, UCLA) and the three founding purposes.
In order to learn more about our Crest, you will need to pledge and become a Brother!
Mascot
The CentaurThe fraternity's mascot is the centaur, which is modeled after Chiron, the son of Cronus and Philyra, and the only immortal centaur. Unlike other centaurs in Greek mythology, who were regarded as bestial and monsterous, Chiron was gentle and wise. He was famed as the tutor of Achilles, Asclepius, Heracles, Jason, Theseus, and others. After his death, Chiron became the constellation Sagittarius.
Adapted from Greek mythology and redefined, the Centaur embodies the essence of masculinity. The faternity's depiction of the Centaur differs from that of classic Greek mythology. While both the ancient Greek and Delta Lambda Phi versions depict a muscular half-man/half-horse form, the Lambda Centaur is clean shaven with short hair and bears resemblance to a young man.
Ancient Greek mythology presented the centaur as a long haired, bearded creature with shaggy hair covering most of his body.
The straining, extended hand of the Lambda Centaur as he reaches for those experiences just beyond his grasp reemphasizes the enduring internal and external strength of the Lambda Man.