Campus Pride Hosts Second Annual OUT & GREEK Conference for LGBT & Ally Fraternity & Sorority Members, Nov 19-22

Registration Open; Call for Workshop Presenters until Friday, September 25, 2009

Manhattan, KS, September 14 , 2009 – Campus Pride announced today the dates for the second annual Out & Greek conference designed for LGBT and ally college students and professionals involved in Greek life. The conference, which will take place November 19-22 at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, is the only conference of its kind for LGBT and ally fraternity and sorority members nationally. Registration now open along with call for workshop presenters online at http://www.lambda10.org/outandgreek.

Echoing the mission of Campus Pride's Lambda 10 educational initiative, the Out and Greek Conference aims to bring together lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) and ally members of fraternities and sororities in an effort to foster dialogue and create safer, more LGBT-friendly learning environments at colleges and universities.

"Fraternities and sororities were once considered a primary source of homophobia on college campuses," said conference chair Chelsey Fritch who is also a member of Gamma Rho Lambda, one of the nations queer-inclusive sororities. "But now more than ever LGBT members of the Greek system are being open and honest about who we are. This conference hopes to provide an opportunity to enhance that dialogue, share tools and create further strategies for change."

The Out and Greek Conference will also provide an opportunity for students and professional staff from across the country to lead and present workshops on best practices from their campus fraternity and sorority community. Further details, a schedule of events as well as information becoming a workshop presenter, may be found by visiting http://www.lambda10.org/outandgreek.

Featured speakers and presenters currently include Shane Windmeyer, best-selling author of "Out on Fraternity Row," "Secret Sisters" and "Brotherhood," and founder of the Lambda 10 Project; Mike Dilbeck, Film Producer & Creator of the Response Ability Project; Peter Smithhisler, President & CEO of the North-American Interfraternity Conference; Terrance Dean, National Educator & Best-Selling Author of Reclaim Your Power! A 30-Day Guide to Hope, Healing and Inspiration for Men of Color & Hiding In Hip Hop - On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry from Music to Hollywood and Jessica Pettitt, National Author, Educator/Speaker on Social Justice and Diversity: Tough Subjects-Progressive Ideas. Entertainment highlights include Andrea Gibson, Nationally Acclaimed Poet, Writer, Activist & Singer and a special cabaret hosted by Kansas drag sensation Ms. Monica Moree.

According to Campus Pride, Kansas State University was chosen to host the conference due to the fact that it has both a men’s fraternity and a women’s sorority for LGBT members – Delta Lambda Phi and Gamma Rho Lambda. Along with Fritch as the chair, members of both organizations are part of the planning team. “K-State is proud to host the second annual conference. We have created something special within Greek Life on our campus and we hope to share it with others across the country,” Fritch said.

National sponsors currently include Campuspeak, Beck & Company, Tyvola Design and the Association of Fraternity Advisors. For more information about the conference and how to become a sponsor, please visit www.lambda10.org/outandgreek, email Campus Pride at info@campuspride.org or call 704-277-6710.

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The Lambda 10 Project, an educational initiative of Campus Pride, works to create safer, more LGBT-Friendly fraternity and sorority communities at colleges and universities.

Believe In -- Campus Pride. Campus Pride is the leading national nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) for student leaders and campus organizations working to create safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities. It exists to give "voice and action" in building future LGBT and ally leaders. More information online at www.campuspride.org