The first fraternity for gay, bisexual and progressive men at Ohio State started rush this week.

Delta Lambda Phi, the newest addition to the Greek community at OSU, distinguishes itself from other fraternities because of its dedication to avoiding discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

“Our fraternity was founded to provide a place where gay men can be themselves and speak freely,” said Tim Ortyl, vice president and rush chairman of the OSU Colony of Delta Lambda Phi.

Although there are a number of organizations for the gay community at OSU, it is difficult to create the type of bond found in a fraternity. Delta Lambda Phi is able to do that, Ortyl said.

The Delta Lambda Phi Colony consists of eight founding members who were inducted in May of this year.

Members of the colony said they believe there has been a large gap between the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community and the Greek community. A goal of Delta Lambda Phi is to connect those two communities in the future.

“We are a very small fraternity,” said Orie Givens, OSU Colony mentor and alumnus of the Alpha Sigma chapter at Ohio University. “That makes us a lot closer as a fraternity, and it gives us more opportunities to take leadership positions.”

On the national level, Delta Lambda Phi prides itself on keeping high membership standards.

The OSU Colony plans to raise their standards from the beginning by asking members to maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5, which is higher than the minimum required by the Greek Task Force.

The colony must have three classes pledge before it can become an official chapter of the fraternity, which the members hope will happen by spring quarter.

“This is one of the most GLBT-friendly campuses,” Ortyl said. “We have not experienced any resistance from the university at all.”

Delta Lambda Phi was originally founded in Washington, D.C. in October of 1986.

Its mission is to enhance the quality of life among gay, bisexual and progressive men by providing dignified and purposeful social, service and recreational activities.

There are 18 chapters and eight colonies nationwide. In Ohio there are chapters at Ohio University, Kent State University and the University of Cincinnati.

“Because we are a gay fraternity, we have a common bond right from the start,” said Ben Nolan, brotherhood and social chair of Delta Lambda Phi. “But we are a fraternity first and foremost.”

Nolan had always wanted to join a fraternity, but because of his sexual preference, he was not sure where he would fit.

“The fact that Delta Lambda Phi has a formal statement condemning discrimination based on sexual preference is important to me. It means that I can be a part of Greek life and feel comfortable,” Nolan said.

This week Delta Lambda Phi will be engaging in typical rush activities. Among other events, they are having information sessions, volleyball games and a barbecue.

“We are mainly focused on rush right now so that we can get to know everybody,” Nolan said.

Those interested in learning more about the Ohio State University Colony of Delta Lambda Phi can go to their group Web site at groups.yahoo.com/group/DLPOhioState/.