October 29, 2013
Baltimore Frat Under Fire for Allegedly Rejecting Gay Pledge
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.
A fraternity at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, is under investigation after its officials allegedly rejected a gay pledge, the Baltimore Sun reports.
Brian Stewart, 20, is accusing Alpha Iota, the Morgan State chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, that he was not accepted into the fraternity because of his sexuality. He says he found out he was allegedly discriminated against after a friend showed him an online discussion between two of the frat brothers, who used gay slurs and anti-gay language.
According to Fox Baltimore, Stewart, who interned for the White House, would not reveal how he got hold of the online conversation. But one of the messages allegedly says, "give him the perception of a fair and equal opportunity."
"I couldn't even be angry because I was so hurt," Stewart told the Sun. He told Fox that he was hurt because he was hurt "because I'm still not good enough."
Jarrett Carter Sr., a spokesman for Morgan State, told the newspaper that the school's officials are investigating the incident after Stewart, a business senior at the college filed a complaint last week.
"The university doesn't tolerate or accept any kind of discrimination," Carter said. "It's something that the university takes very very seriously." He also told the Sun that discrimination within fraternities and the entire school is against the university's policy. Those found guilty of discrimination can face disciplinary action after a review by students, faculty and staff.
Stewart said he wanted to join Kappa Alpha Psi because his pastor and mentor was a member of the frat when he was in college.
"What he offered to me, I wanted the ability to offer that to someone else," Stewart told the Sun. Though he doesn't want to be a member anymore, the student said he filed a complaint because he wants to raise awareness.
"I didn't know I was going to have no control - that my interview meant nothing, my achievements meant nothing, because they had already made up their minds," Stewart said.
"If you don't agree with how I live my life, that does not give you the right to cast negativity or derogatory slurs on what I do," he told Fox.