Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the nation’s oldest historically Black intercollegiate Greek letter fraternity, is facing significant controversy over a proposed bylaw amendment that could potentially ban transgender members. This contentious proposal, if finalized, would make Alpha Phi Alpha the second Black fraternity to institute such a ban, following Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
Proposed Amendment and Its Implications
The proposed amendment, which was exclusively reported by GLAAD last week, suggests restricting membership to individuals “defined as a human being naturally born male, who remains and continually identifies as a male.” On July 15, GLAAD reported that delegates approved the amendment, moving it forward to another round of approvals before it becomes final. The exact mechanisms of enforcement and the number of members it might impact remain unclear.
This move has sparked heated debates within Alpha Phi Alpha, exposing a generational and ideological rift between the more traditional national leadership and the generally younger, more progressive membership. Many members and observers have criticized the proposed policy as discriminatory, exclusionary, and contrary to the fraternity’s long-standing commitment to human rights.
Historical Commitment to Civil Rights
Founded in 1906 at Cornell University, Alpha Phi Alpha was established as a “study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice, both educationally and socially,” according to the fraternity’s website. The fraternity has historically played a pivotal role in the Black community, contributing significantly to the civil rights movement and racial uplift. Its legacy includes influential members such as Thurgood Marshall and Martin Luther King Jr., making the current controversy particularly poignant.
David Johns, CEO and executive director of the Black LGBTQ+ civil rights organization National Black Justice Coalition, emphasized the contradiction between the proposed amendment and the fraternity’s founding goals. “These proposals starkly contradict the historical commitment to equality, justice, and the advancement of all Black people,” Johns told The Hill. “By seeking to exclude transgender people, these fraternities are turning their backs on the very principles of brotherhood and inclusivity that they were founded upon and are a betrayal of the legacy of activism and leadership that these organizations have upheld for over a century.”
Member and Community Reactions
Many Alpha Phi Alpha members, including those from the LGBTQ+ community, feel deeply betrayed by the consideration of this amendment. Lennex Cowan, who helped organize a letter to Alpha leadership in March, expressed disappointment that the amendment is still under consideration despite assurances it would be withdrawn. The potential bylaw change not only affects transgender members but also highlights broader issues of inclusivity within Alpha Phi Alpha. The fraternity has reportedly never officially recognized Pride month, despite calls from LGBTQ+ members for greater acknowledgment and support.
Deandre Miles-Hercules, a self-described “gender creative” Alpha who uses they/them pronouns, voiced their frustration. “Their decision to alienate trans and nonbinary people from membership is reactionary, asinine, and unbecoming of an organization with a professed commitment to human rights,” they said. “It’s ludicrous to be the fraternity of Thurgood Marshall and Martin Luther King Jr. and come up with a policy that bans trans people.”
Generational and Ideological Divide
The debate over the amendment has revealed a generational and ideological split within the fraternity. Interviews with Alpha members suggest that national leadership, which tends to be older and more conservative, is at odds with the younger, more progressive general body. This division reflects broader societal shifts and the ongoing struggle for inclusivity and recognition of diverse identities within traditionally conservative organizations.
Matthew Shaw, an assistant professor of law at Vanderbilt Law School and an Alpha member, highlighted the dissonance between the fraternity’s legacy and the proposed ban. “Entities with similar historical and communal significance — like the NAACP, for example — have expressly affirmed their support of LGBTQ+ communities,” Shaw noted. “If we allow certain discriminations, we have to allow for all of them. If Alpha then adopts the logic that White Citizens’ Councils had against Black people desegregating schools in the 1950s and ’60s, what’s to say that you couldn’t use that logic against Black people in 2024?”
Broader Implications for the Fraternity
As Alpha Phi Alpha contemplates this significant change to its bylaws, the fraternity stands at a crossroads between its historic values and the evolving norms of inclusivity and equality. The decision could redefine brotherhood in one of the most storied Black fraternities in history. The potential bylaw amendment would specifically impact trans and nonbinary members of the organization, but it also raises questions about the fraternity’s commitment to diversity and human rights.
The National Black Justice Coalition has condemned the proposal, with David Johns calling on the fraternity to recognize the ban as rooted in white supremacy. “Such policies and exclusionary practices perpetuate harmful stereotypes and further marginalize individuals who already face significant barriers and discrimination in society,” Johns said.
The Bottom Line
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. is grappling with a contentious proposal that could redefine its identity and values. The fraternity’s Constitutional Convention in Chicago, held from July 10–14, has become a battleground for discussions on inclusivity, human rights, and the fraternity’s future direction. As the organization deliberates, it faces a crucial moment that could impact its relationship with the LGBTQ+ community, its members, and its legacy of civil rights advocacy.
Transgender individuals, their families, and allies to the transgender community are watching closely, hoping that Alpha Phi Alpha will uphold its historic commitment to equality and brotherhood. The decision made in the coming months will not only affect the fraternity but also send a powerful message about the importance of inclusivity and human rights in traditionally conservative spaces.
