Today we continue our newest series: Knights Sound Off, and we do so in hopes of lifting the voices of our brothers, the Honorable Knights of Omega Delta Phi in regards to current events, fraternal news, as well as other on-goings. In commemoration of the gay liberation movement that was set off in June 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan, the LGBTQI community celebrates Pride Month during this month. A police raid of the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village ignited a demonstration by the LGBTQI community that would cement the legacy of PRIDE and make Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera ,transgender activists, pioneers for LGBTQ rights.
Omega Delta Phi recognizes the contributions of the LGBTQI community and through this series, highlights the brothers who identify as such as well as their journeys and successes, and the challenges they faced and continue to face.
The following Honorable Knights shared their thoughts on Pride and what it means to be LGBTQI in Omega Delta Phi.
Full Name: Luis Ramirez Marin
Chapter/Colony: Eta Chapter
Profession/Field of Study: Crisis Intervention Specialist/Psychology Semester
Activated: Fall 2012
Identify as: Gay, He/Him
What does Pride Month mean to you? Pride month is about love, acceptance, and visibility. Those who have fought and rallied before me for people like me during the Stonewall Riots are now able to see themselves in spaces where they couldn’t before. Pride Month is the celebration of authenticity where in this moment, me living my truth, is just as impactful to those younger than me as it’s a beautiful cycle of growth and acceptance. All-in-all… PRIDE allows me and anyone like me to be unapologetically ourselves.
Do you feel seen/loved in ODPHI being a member of the LGBTQ community? How so? Have never had any issues with any other member. I, personally, have not had any issues with any member in our organization regarding my sexuality. My experience after coming out was much the opposite of which I feared. I was embraced and supported by chapter and even nationally.
How would you like to see ODPHI make improvements to fully embracing and supporting its LGBTQ members? Piggybacking on my statement in the previous question, I know there are members who may not agree, support and/or aren’t tolerant of LGBTQIA+ people, events, etc… due to their personal beliefs. I would never ask anyone to change their belief system just because of a difference in ideas or beliefs. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but my advice to our organization regarding embracing and/or supporting brothers in the LGBTQIA+ community is just to treat people with respect as in the end, we are all human.
What has your experience been as an LGBTQ Knight? My experience as a member who identifies as being homosexual has been great to say the least. At first, yeah I was nervous that my chapter wouldn’t accept me for who I was but as I have stated before, they have been my biggest support, to which I am grateful for. I can’t say that my story is the same for others in the organization but I have not had any issues being myself when meeting members in my chapter or nationally. They have made my experience being a member of ODPhi for going on 9 years in November very memorable through acceptance, respect, and understanding.