Drake Douglas, former MU student, started MU Greek Allies with the intent to create a safe and educational environment for queer members of Greek life and their allies. Now, a decade later, the organization still strives to carry out their original mission, with additional goals.

In Douglas’ time, MU Greek Allies fought for tolerance; the goal was to push away from the “violence and silence” found in fraternities and sororities. Now, Molly Wooster, president of MU Greek Allies, said the organization wants to not just ask for tolerance but move towards acceptance and celebration.

“There’s a culture in Greek life where people want to focus on tolerance — that’s the bare necessity,” Wooster said. “We need to encourage acceptance and active allyship because it’s definitely needed here.”

Wooster got involved with the organization after expressing concerns during rush. She had preconceived notions of Greek life at Mizzou and asked her Pi Chi how queer members adjust to the culture within sororities and fraternities. Her Pi Chi recommended she join MU Greek Allies, and there, Wooster found her place.

After Wooster joined, she asked her friend and Kappa Alpha Theta sister, Leeza Vasko, to speak at one of MU Greek Allies’ panels about what it’s like to be queer and in Greek life. Vasko quickly involved herself with the organization and ended up on the executive board with Wooster acting as MU Greek Allies’ vice president of campus outreach.

When Vasko spoke on her first panel, she noticed none of her sisters attended the event. Vasko commented on the lack of Theta presence. She received backlash from an LGBTQ+ and Theta sister who didn’t understand why the organization was speaking out about queer people in Greek Life. For Vasko’s sister, her time in the sorority was mostly positive, so she didn’t understand the need for the panel. Vasko said her experience in Greek Life has been mostly positive as well, but acknowledged that it isn’t that way for everyone.

“First and foremost, make sure you feel safe and comfortable coming out in [Greek life],” Vasko said. “And if you feel safe — do it. If anyone doesn’t accept you, then you probably didn’t need them in your life to begin with.”

Despite the small upset, she said she has seen them at every event. The increase in participation in recent years has been heartening, according to Wooster and Vasko. Vasko said they have been working to keep MU Greek Allies an educational space but also making it a social environment for queer members of Greek Life.

“The more people that come to our events, the more events we’ll be able to put on,” Vasko said. “Already the outpour[ing] of people that we’ve had show up has been really impressive, and I would encourage people to continue showing up to events and searching for ways to continue being good allies within the Greek community.”

With COVID-19, the organization had to switch up their plans for the year. Leadership said MU Greek Allies plans to host meetings over Zoom and continue with their usual events. Each year they host a panel discussion for Greek members to examine what it means to be in Greek life and LGBTQ+ and conduct multiple safe space trainings where they help students learn ways to better their chapter and/or council. They also plan to host more social events this semester and collaborate with Planned Parenthood Advocates at Mizzou.

_Edited by Joy Mazur | jmazur@themaneater.com_