About DLP

In Washington, DC, in October 1986, three elderly gentlemen established a trust to create a social fraternity that wouldn't discriminate based on sexual orientation; the donors regretted such an alternative organization did not exist during their formative years. As Trustee, Vernon L. Strickland, III, administered the founding of Delta Lambda Phi National Social Fraternity, creating its crest, selecting its mascot and designing its rituals. In April 1987, Strickland initiated 24 men into the Fraternity's Alpha Chapter-Delta Lambda Phi was born.

Since then, Delta Lambda Phi, a fraternity for gay, bisexual and progressive men, has become one of the country's fastest growing fraternities with chapters from coast to coast.

The Founding Purposes of Delta Lambda Phi

To provide dignified and purposeful, social, service, and recreational activities for progressive men, irrespective of sexual orientation.
To lead in determining the rights and privileges of individuals in society.

To promote a strong and positive image, which respects the diversity of all individuals, irrespective of sexual orientation.

Symbols of Delta Lambda Phi

Colors
Green, gold and white

Flower
Yellow Rose

Motto
Lambda Men Are Making Their Presence Known!

Toast Song
There Once Was a Mighty Lambda Man

Fraternity Cheer
Lambda Men All the Time

Our Crest

Helmet: Represents knighthood and a code of honor.
Open Visor: Represents Delta Lambda Phi is a non-secret society.
Mantling: Represents the use of parliamentary procedure to maintain order.
Scales: Represent the delicate balance of social equity and the distribution of justice.
Phi Groupings: The three-phi group represents the majority viewpoint; the two-phi group, the minority viewpoint.
Inverse Triangle: Represents the persecution of gays by the Nazis and their continued persecution today.
Lambda: The lowercase lambda represents the gay rights movement.
Shaking Hands: Represent friendship and understanding. The shaking hands are placed as a link between the Lambda and the Inverse Triangle to represent the transition from the past to the future.
Chevron: Represents an unclosed division with the past. The past accomplishments by gay, bisexual and progressive men have allowed the development of modern gay organizations, including Delta Lambda Phi.
Burning Lamp: Represents enlightenment and ancient justice.
Stars: Represent the first three chapters (Alpha, Washington, DC; Beta, San Diego, CA; and Gamma, UCLA). The top star represents the Alpha Chapter.

Our Mascot

The Centaur

The Centaur is the mascot of Delta Lambda Phi. Adapted from Greek mythology and redefined, he embodies the essence of masculinity.

Our depiction of the Centaur differs from that of classic Greek mythology. While both the ancient Greek and Delta Lambda Phi versions depict a muscular half-man/half-horse form, the Lambda Centaur is clean shaven with short hair and bears resemblance to a young man.

Ancient Greek mythology presented the centaur as a long haired, bearded creature with shaggy hair covering most of his body.

The straining, extended hand of the Lambda Centaur as he reaches for those experiences just beyond his grasp reemphasizes the enduring internal and external strength of the Lambda Man.

Delta Lambda Phi at NYU