Greeks working to improve tolerance of gays

In fall 2002, Joe Zagame (junior-psychology) pledged Kappa Alpha Order fraternity, 234 E. Beaver Ave., like many other freshmen. Zagame's experience, though, was a little different than most and during the next year he would be subjected to some of the most difficult and rewarding moments of his life.

Zagame decided to tell other fraternity members that he was gay -- and they supported him.

But Zagame is not alone in his apprehensiveness about balancing his sexuality with his social life, as the words "gay" and "greek" are rarely heard in the same sentence.

Now, voices that have been silent on the issue for years have turned into whispers and those whispers into proud voices that have led to the beginning of change at Penn State. Zagame has joined others to form the Greek/LGBTA Initiative, a program to help foster communication and integration of the two communities.

Greeks working to improve tolerance of gays