Non-binary student joins NY sorority, later expelled by HQ.

Non-Binary Student Kicked Out of College Sorority

A male who identifies as non-binary had his membership revoked by a New York college sorority‘s national headquarters, sparking controversy and a demand for reinstatement.

Fabián “Fa” Guzmán, a 22-year-old student at St. Lawrence University, was initially accepted into the Chi Omega chapter last fall and enjoyed being a member until this month.

In May, the Chi Omega national office began questioning Guzmán’s membership status, leading to multiple discussions with national leadership via phone calls and Zoom meetings.

However, in early June, Guzmán received the devastating news that his sorority membership was being revoked without any opportunity for appeal.

“The national organization threatened to revoke my membership if we went public with the story,” Guzmán said.

The issue at hand seems to be Guzmán’s identification as a gender other than his biological sex, specifically that he does not identify as a woman.

“The selection criteria in the policy on membership includes ‘females and individuals identifying as women,’ which, by the chapter’s own understanding and your indication through the process, it is clear you did not meet the criteria at the time of joining,” the Chi Omega national office said in an email, according to 19th News.

“We are bound by our governing documents, and your membership must be voided,” the headquarters said.

Guzmán, however, asserts that despite identifying as non-binary, he does connect with “womanhood.”

Seeking justice, Guzmán launched a Change.org petition demanding the reinstatement of his membership and his position as chapter recruitment chair. Additionally, he is requesting a public apology from the sorority headquarters that acknowledges and validates gender identities like non-binary and trans, which identify with womanhood regardless of assigned sex at birth.

Furthermore, Guzmán is urging Chi Omega to consider revising its membership policy to be more inclusive for individuals who identify as non-binary.

Despite the hurt caused by the organization’s invalidation of his identity, Guzmán finds solace in the love and support he receives from his sisters, reminding him of the true essence of sisterhood.

This incident is not the first time a biological male has attempted to join a college sorority. Last year, a University of Alabama student faced rejection in a similar pursuit. In another case, seven students at the University of Wyoming filed a lawsuit after their sorority accepted a trans-identifying man, alleging uncomfortable and inappropriate behavior.

Conversely, a woman who identifies as a man attempted to join a sorority at Northwestern University but did not receive any acceptance offers.

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