Pride Month

Hi everyone! My name is Hailey Burgess and I am a member of the LGBTQ+ community and the Panhellenic community, specifically Kappa Alpha Theta. In honor of June being pride month, I wanted to write to you all about my experiences and hopefully provide comfort to any potential new member or current PHA member struggling with fear or uncertainty. 

I want to begin with saying that it is completely okay and valid to be scared. Entering a new living situation and a new community can be nerve-racking enough. To add the question of, “Will I be accepted here for who I am?”, can make that experience even more nerve-racking. I was extremely nervous coming to college and deciding to go through recruitment and join a Panhellenic sorority. I feared judgment and was scared of what others would think about me. It was completely uncharted territory. 

After “running home on Bid Day”(it was on Zoom), I began to gain the sense that this was a place where I would be fully accepted for who I am.  As nervous as I still was, as I made new friends, I pretty much told everyone! I never made some sort of “big announcement”. Everybody was so extremely accepting of me.

The past two years I have felt so loved and supported by my sorority and the whole Panhellenic community. None of my sisters have ever treated me differently or made me feel unequal in any way. They celebrate me for who I am and so many of them constantly express their allyship. They have come with me to Pride events, helped me educate others about the LGBTQ+ community, and just expressed their love and support through their actions and words. 

I have served on the Panhellenic Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Access committee for two years now and gotten to work with members from all 11 Panhellenic sororities. This committee is passionate to make the Panhellenic community inclusive to ALL people of ALL identities. I can confidently say that this committee has done an amazing job educating our community members and made huge strides in creating the most inclusive environment possible. 

To anyone who may be struggling or uncertain, I see you. I can promise you that this community will be here for you and that I am here for you. 

Happy Pride Month to all. This June, celebrate yourself, those you love, and remember the people who fought for the rights we have today.