Gay Emory University Student Allegedly Forcibly Ejected From Fraternity To Cheers Of Other Attendees

The Emory Wheel, the university’s student paper is reporting that this past weekend a gay student was “forcibly ejected” from a party at the off-campus house of the Sigma Nu fraternity, the paper suggesting that the incident serves as a reminder that Greek life at Emory,located in Atlanta, Georgia, is a little less than welcoming to members of the university’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. The paper writing that “According to the alleged victim, his admission that he was gay instigated his forceful removal from the premises. His ejection was accompanied by anti-gay slurs and followed by what he termed ‘affirmative cheering’ from many in attendance.” The student, who wants to remain anonymous, and who has not yet filed a police report, says he attended a party Friday evening at Sigma Nu, dressed in a lime green jacket, red pants, and a wizard hat. “At first, when I walked into the party, some people were taking pictures of me and appreciating, if you will, what I was wearing,” said the student. However, he says shortly thereafter another attendee who has been confirmed as recent alum Adam Smith, began harassing the alleged victim. “This guy approached me and asked why I was wearing the hat ... I said that I like the hat, just as you like your pink shirt. He then asked me if I was gay, and I said I was. He then started choking me with his elbow and put me into a head lock, and dragged me out of the party by neck,” says the student. The student says he was then dragged at least 10 feet from the common area of the house to the door and thrown onto the front lawn, Smith allegedly heard to tell other partygoers “Hey, this kid’s a faggot.” Smith denies the story, offering a variation of sorts. “This kid was at the party, and was acting kind of ridiculous. I went over, took his hat and started dancing around,” saying that he then asked the student “Why are you wearing this gay ass hat?” According to Smith, the student then replied “Same reason you’re wearing your pink shirt.” Smith, who graduated in the spring, says he then asked if the student was implying him – Smith – was “fucking gay or something,” and when the student said yes, Smith admits to putting him in a head lock and forcibly ejecting him from the party. To date, the Sigma Nu chapter president released an e-mail stating that an investigation is ongoing and that “At this point we believe this to be an issue of personal, not fraternity conduct.” Emory President James W. Wagner wrote an e-mail as well stating his disappointment at an “alleged act of disrespect and intolerance,” but would not comment further.