Gamma Rho Lambda

Gamma Rho Lambda (ΓΡΛ) is a social, college-based sorority for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, and allied students. Gamma Rho Lambda has been referred to as the first national multicultural lesbian sorority; however they are inclusive of all gender identities including cisgender women and men, trans women, trans men, and gender variant people of all sexualities and racial identities. As of 2024, GRL consists of eight active chapters across five states with an active membership of over 400, including alum and collegians.

History

Gamma Rho Lambda, Alpha chapter, was founded in the Fall of 2003 by 12 original members at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. The sorority was initially created because the founding president and members wanted an organization similar to the GBTQ-focused fraternity on campus, Sigma Phi Beta.

2005 to 2010

In 2005, Gamma Rho Lambda began the daunting task of expanding nationally, as Alpha chapter had been approached by several interested women on other campuses in the United States. Over the course of the next year, Gamma Rho Lambda worked to expand to these campuses, functioning in a national and local capacity at the same time.

In 2006, with enough alum members to support a national council, Gamma Rho Lambda National Sorority became independent of Alpha chapter. Since then, the national sorority has been working on expansion, adjusting to the needs of its chapters and members, and bettering the community overall through these efforts.

The sorority expanded to San Diego State University and Georgia Southern University. University of Missouri became a colony. San Diego State University gained chapter status as Beta chapter. Kansas State University became a colony. California State University, Northridge, University of California, Los Angeles, Purdue University and SUNY Albany became colonies. University of Missouri colony disbanded from Gamma Rho Lambda to focus more on political involvement. Kansas State University gained chapter status as Delta chapter and Purdue University gained chapter status as Eta chapter.

2010 to 2015

Gamma Rho Lambda rapidly expanded during this time. Northern Arizona University, SUNY Albany, University of Houston, UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, Ball State, Tulane University, Iowa State, American University, and University of Iowa became colonies of Gamma Rho Lambda and later chapters Additionally UL Lafayette and UT Austin were inducted as colonies.

2016 to 2020

UL Lafayette and UT Austin were initiated as Sigma and Tau chapter, respectively. Longwood University, University of Arizona, and Missouri S&T were initiated as colonies in the spring of 2016 and became chapters in early 2017. Also, Bowling Green State University and Ohio State University were inducted as colonies in the fall of 2016 and became chapters in late 2017. Virginia Commonwealth University was inducted as a colony in 2018.

In January 2021, Gamma Rho Lambda National Sorority opened its membership to people of any and all gender identities, thereby including cisgender men in their siblinghood.

The provisional chapter at University of Nevada, Reno was inducted as Alpha Delta chapter in February 2021.

2020 to present

The National Council established its National Foundation in 2023, to provide support for and promote the overall success of members of the Gamma Rho Lambda family through financial support, educational programming to promote academic success and professional development, and leadership development opportunities.

As with many organizations, Gamma Rho Lambda struggled during the COVID pandemic. As campuses shut down and Greek organizations were unable to recruit, chapters fought diligently to stay connected, involved, and active. However, many of the smaller chapters were unable to weather the storm, and were forced to close after great recruitment and retention efforts. The organization went from 20 to just 8 chapters between 2020 and 2023.

Alpha Epsilon Chapter at George Mason University was inducted in fall of 2019 and founded in June 2021. They were persistent in completing the provisional chapter process, which was delayed by the COVID 19 pandemic.

Gamma Rho Lambda’s current focus as a national organization is on strengthening its foundation and building up its currently existing chapters. As of Fall 2023, the organization is opening 1-2 interest groups a semester for active chapters so that the national council can provide the stability and support chapters need to be successful. Today, Gamma Rho Lambda active membership (including Alum & Collegians) consists of over 400 active members.

Gamma Rho Lambda National Sorority's main philanthropic efforts are to benefit The Trevor Project, but chapters also work individually with local non-profits and philanthropic organizations, collectively raising thousands of dollars and creating awareness in their communities.

Symbols

The sorority's official colors are purple and black. The wolf is its symbol and mascot. Its flower is the sunflower. Its motto is: "Truth in tolerance, knowledge through diversity, bonds of unity, strength in trust."

The Lambda symbol was adopted by the New York City's Gay Activists' Alliance in the 1970s during the Stonewall Riots. Since then, the Lambda has spread as a symbol for the gay liberation movement. Because of its history, the Lambda was chosen to be a letter in the sorority's Greek name. The Gamma and Rho symbols were chosen because with the Lambda symbol, they spell GR (girl").

Visible symbols in the coat of arms include the lioness, the bear, the unicorn, the crown of thorns, the metal crown, the Isle of Lesbos symbol with shaking hands, the upside down black triangle, the Eye of Horus, the hand, the sword, the ivy leaf vine, the elephant tusk, and the cinquefoil.

Governing council

The sorority's day-to-day business activities are overseen by the National Governing Council which acts as the board of directors. It was established in 2006, when there were enough alumni members to support a National Council. Since then, Gamma Rho Lambda National Sorority has been working not only on expansion, but also adjusting to the needs of our chapters and members and bettering the community overall through these efforts. Council consists of thirteen elected alumnae who are elected every two years; This includes one President, Ten Vice Presidents and two Alumni at Large Delegates. Additionally, each VP has a committee to assist them in projects. Each chapter and colony has a mentor who assists them in any issues and provides guidance as they develop.

Chapters

Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are indicated in italic.

Notes

See also

• List of LGBT fraternities and sororities
• List of social fraternities and sororities

References