Theta Pi Sigma
{{Short description|American gender-neutral collegiate fraternity}}
{{Infobox Fraternity
| name = Theta Pi Sigma
| letters = {{lang|grc|ΘΠΣ}}
| crest = The_crest_of_Theta_Pi_Sigma.png
| image_size = 160px
| founded = {{start date and age|2005}}
| birthplace = University of California, Santa Cruz
| affiliation = Independent
| status = Active
| type = Social
| emphasis = Queer life
| scope = National
| mission =
| vision =
| motto = {{lang|grc|θάνατος προτου συμμορφωση}} ("Death Before Conformity")
| maxim =
| flower = Red rose
| jewel =
| publication =
| philanthropy =
| chapters = 2 active
| lifetime =
| pillars = Openness, Growth, and Respect
| colors = {{color box|#36454F}} Charcoal Gray, {{color box|#FFFAFA}} Snow White, and {{color box|#87CEEB}} Sky Blue
| symbol = Torch and Rainbow
| free_label =
| free =
| address =
| city = Eugene
| state = Oregon
| country = United States
| homepage =
}}
Theta Pi Sigma ({{lang|grc|ΘΠΣ}}) is an American queer-focused, gender-neutral fraternal organization. It was established in 2005 at the University of California, Santa Cruz and has expanded to six chapters across the United States. It is the first queer-focused, gender-neutral Greek organization.
History
In 2005, Marc Garcia formed Delta Lambda Psi as a gender neutral and queer focused "frarority" at the University of California, Santa Cruz.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2012-10-26 |title=LGBT Fraternity Sues Upstart Chapter For Trademark Infringement |url=https://www.intellectualpropertynews.com/ip-litigation-news/lgbt-fraternity-sues-upstart-chapter-for-trademark-infringement/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Intellectual Property News.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date= |title=Theta Pi Sigma - Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center |url=https://case.edu/lgbt/groups/tps/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411005708/https://case.edu/lgbt/groups/tps/ |archive-date=2018-04-11 |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=Case Western Reserve University |via=webarchive}} Its purpose was "to strengthen Greek life at the University of California, Santa Cruz by providing a vehicle for positive leadership, change, and growth in the queer, transsexual, transgender, questioning, pansexual, lesbian, intersex, gender-queer, gay, bisexual, asexual and ally communities".{{cite web |title=QConnect - Courses |url=http://www2.ucsc.edu/queer/events/Archived%20Qconnects/qconnect%20April%209-15.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402231512/http://www2.ucsc.edu/queer/events/Archived%20Qconnects/qconnect%20April%209-15.html |archive-date=April 2, 2012 |access-date=2013-11-02}}{{cite web |title=List of Registered Student Organizations 2012-2013 |url=http://soar.ucsc.edu/v2/studentorgs/list-of-orgs.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105101212/http://soar.ucsc.edu/v2/studentorgs/list-of-orgs.html |archive-date=January 5, 2013 |access-date=2013-11-02}}
The second chapter was founded in 2012 at the Northeastern Illinois University, followed by a chapter at the University of Oregon later that year. Thus, it became world's first queer-focused, gender-neutral Greek organization.
In 2012, Delta Lambda Phi, an established gay fraternity, sued Delta Lambda Pi, saying that the name similarity and the identical initials, DLP, was a violation of its trademark.{{Cite web |last=Avery |first=Dan |date=2012-11-10 |title=Gay Fraternity Sues Rival For Trademark Infringement |url=https://www.queerty.com/gay-fraternity-sues-rival-for-trademark-infringement-20121110 |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Queerty |language=en}} The lawsuit claimed that Garcia created Delta Lambda Pi after meeting members of Delta Lambda Phi at a conference at the University of California, Santa Cruz. At the time the lawsuit was filed Delta Lambda Pi was in the process of establishing a chapter at the University of Oregon which already had a chapter of Delta Lambda Phi; the lawsuit was filed in Oregon.
As a result of the lawsuit, Delta Lambda Phi changed its name to Theta Pi Sigma. In 2015, the Alpha chapter of Theta Pi Sigma voted to stop using the term frarority due to the connotations of the term.The term "frarority" was coined by the organization to combine the words 'fraternity' and 'sorority".
Symbols
Theta Pi Sigma's motto is {{lang|grc|θάνατος προτου συμμορφωση}} or "Death Before Conformity". The name Theta Pi Sigma is an acronym for its motto.{{Cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://uothetapisigma.wixsite.com/home/our_story |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=UO Theta Pi Sigma}} Its values or pillars are Openness, Growth, and Respect. Its colors are charcoal gray, snow white, and sky blue.
Its badge is a blue shield with silver trim, divided into three sections. The top left section features three swords, recalling the three founding families, the upper rights consists of puzzle pieces that symbolize unity, and the bottom section includes a rainbow to represent all genders and sexualities. Above the shield is a torch that symbolizes knowledge. Below the shield is a banner with the Greek motto and the 2005 founding date. The shield is surrounded by red roses to represent growth and death.
Activities
Chapters
In the following list, active chapters are indicated in bold and inactive chapters are in italics.
References
{{reflist}}{{Fraternities and Sororities |collapsed}}
Category:LGBTQ youth organizations based in the United States
Category:Fraternities and sororities in the United States
Category:University of California, Santa Cruz
Category:LGBTQ fraternities and sororities
Category:Student organizations established in 2005