Chi Phi fraternity to accept transgender men: One of America's oldest fraternities amends membership policy

Chi Phi, one of the oldest fraternities in the U.S., announced last month that it is opening its doors to transgender men.

The fraternity voted to amend its membership policy in order to allow transgender students during its recently held 151st congressional meeting.

Sam Borchart, chairman of the organization's Committee of Membership, said the move would address questions about whether transgender men should be accepted in the fraternity.

He said the voting results proved the fraternity's desire to be more inclusive.

"The fact that this change comes as a result of Congressional vote is a testament that our Fraternity and its individual members want to make Chi Phi more inclusive," Borchart said in a statement. "One change is never a stopping point, and we hope this opens the door to further discussion about inclusivity, particularly for transgender men who want to join us in brotherhood."

The new membership policy was approved following a petition on change.org urging the fraternity to "allow trans men to be brothers." The petition said the organization does not have a definition of "male" in its constitution, and it's time to give a definition for it.

"We want Chi Phi to define 'male' as an inclusive concept based on self-identification regardless of the sex they were assigned at birth, rather than having specific genitals as a prerequisite to be considered a man," the petition read.

Chi Phi's new membership policy is effective immediately.

The National Center for Transgender Equality was pleased with the fraternity's decision to include transgender male in its membership. However, it pointed out possible problems involving legal requirements.

Mara Keisling, the organization's executive director, said Chi Phi should watch out against possible limitations of membership for transgender persons by requiring "valid legal documentation" from those who want to join them, ABC News reported.

The Chi Phi Fraternity, which was founded in 1824 at Princeton University, states that its mission is to build better men through lifelong friendships, leadership opportunities, and character development.