Hi everyone! My name is Fabián (Fa) Guzmán and I am a non-binary individual who rushed, gained membership, and was recently kicked out of Chi Omega sorority. The reason I got the approval to rush and eventually join was due to the National organizations opening the term “women” up to interpretation instead of “sex assigned at birth,” which had traditionally been used. In May of 2023, St Lawrence University, where I attend for undergraduate study, wanted to publish a story covering my accomplishments at the University, including my unprecedented membership in Chi Omega. The national organization threatened to revoke my membership if we went public with the story. They then required me to partake in a two-step process of gender-based eligibility process that I was never privy to prior, and in the end, the CEO of Chi Omega voided my membership without the ability to appeal.

“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.” - Chi Omega Headquarters

The criteria were not met due to my identity as a non-binary individual and my sex assigned at birth. Even though we asked them directly about the policy several times prior, and as a non-binary individual, I identify with women and womanhood.

In reaction, I created multiple social media posts which have garnered the attention of reporter Jen Gerson from The 19th News. Here is the link to the story if you would like to understand more of the context of the situation: https://19thnews.org/2023/06/nonbinary-sorority-member-chi-omega-voided/

Even though my identity has been invalidated by this organization that has meant so much to me, and I am extremely hurt, the love I share with my sisters and the support I have been getting from them reminds me what real sisterhood is about. I make a call to you all to please sign this petition demanding:

• Chi Omega National Headquarters reinstate my membership.
• Chi Omega National Headquarters reinstate my position as Recruitment Chair of the Epsilon Kappa Chapter.
• Chi Omega National Headquarters issue a public apology that acknowledges and validates those gender identities, like non-binary and trans, that identify as a woman and womanhood regardless of their sex assigned at birth.
• Chi Omega National Headquarters consider the possibility at National Convention to modifying the wording of the membership policy in order to make it inclusive for non-binary and trans folks for chapters who would like to welcome a member who identifies as such but aligns with the woman identity and Chi Omega values.

Chi Omega’s reactionary void of my membership was blatant transphobia and bigotry. They fill their organization with hollow messages of inclusivity and equality while enacting unbiased policies of hate through an improperly structured organizational hierarchy. Additionally, I find their decision to void my membership during Pride Month intentional. Let's remember that we, non-binary and trans folks, are not existing with the purpose to make Greek life co-ed or invade safe spaces. On the contrary, we want to feel we belong by joining a group that aligns with our gender identity and where we feel supported and validated. 
 
As the Chi Omega symphony clearly states:
“To live constantly above snobbery of word or deed; to place scholarship before social obligations and character before appearances; to be in the best sense, democratic rather than “exclusive”, and lovable rather than “popular”; to work earnestly, to speak kindly, to act sincerely, to choose thoughtfully that course which occasion and conscience demand; to be womanly always; to be discouraged never; in a word, to be loyal under any and all circumstances to my Fraternity and her highest teachings and to have her welfare ever at heart that she may be a symphony of high purpose and helpfulness in which there is no discordant note.”

-Written by Ethel Switzer Howard, Xi Chapter, 1904

Please help me spread the word about Chi Omega and the anti-LGBTQIA+ policies that they have intentionally enacted during Pride Month 2023, and hopefully together raise our voices to create inclusive change. 

Much love,

Fabián Guzmán (Fa)