Delta Lambda Phi: Beta Xi

The year is coming to its close, but by no means does the Beta Xi Chapter of Delta Lambda Phi have any regrets! With great leadership, loyal support, and total commitment, the Beta Xi Chapter launched itself into an new period of its history, full of absolute progress, exponential growth, and increasing organization and solidarity.

These last few weeks alone have been filled to the brim with activity and excitement. Only a week and a half ago, the Beta Xi boys converged at NYU’s University Hall to participate in the LGBTQ office’s Gender Bender Ball. As always, President Ryan Rockmore and Vice-President Joseph Picini took gender bending to its very limits with their dazzling drag queen personas. From the second they arrived till the moment Brother Ryan was voted “Best Queen” and Brother Joseph “Most Elegant,” they were a huge hit among all the partygoers. It was also a great event for the chapter as a whole. They were able to have fun in a non-gender biased space, support the leadership of the Chapter, and hang out and enjoy each other’s company. Besides progress, the biggest theme of this year has to be drag… we are DLP!

On Sunday, May second, the Beta Xi Chapter held its last business meeting of the academic year. The first major event was the transition to alumni status that all the seniors in Beta Xi successfully made from active brotherhood. These brothers include:

Fernando Contreras, a brother from near the beginning of the establishment of Beta Xi. He has held numerous offices in the Fraternity, including President. Fern is a drama major in the prestigious Tisch School of Fine Arts. Many of the brothers look up to Fern for his absolute dedication to DLP despite his impossibly busy schedule. He has been a friend to all and will certainly be missed by everyone. Brother Fern, thank you so much for your service.

Trenton Hart, a founder of Beta Xi, has an enormous wealth of knowledge regarding the fraternity. Understandably so, he has served as President, Social Chair, and Sergeant at Arms. If one thinks of a brother for life, one should think of Trent. His dedication to this fraternity’s and this chapter’s agenda has been absolute. Brother Trent, thank you so much for your friendship and service.

Miles Florence Jackson, a musical theatre major in Tisch, has been a brother for the past two years. Although he holds no office, Miles has taken an active role in certain social aspects of the Fraternity. Many of the newer brothers view him as a welcoming figure, someone to feel comfortable around, someone kind and compassionate, someone interesting and fun. His witty remarks and ceaseless charisma are something to aspire to. His talent is sure to soon be seen on Broadway. Brother Miles, we will miss you dearly. Good luck!

Nathan Miller, a film major in Tisch, was fundamental in the development of Beta Xi’s service outreach. Forging relationships with such groups as HOTT, Ali Forney Center, and the Trinity Shelter for transitioning LGBTQ Youths, Nathan’s work as Philanthropy and Service Chair is unparalleled. Without him, the beta Xi boys can only hope to make the difference he made and will continue to make in the lives of those less fortunate. Brother Nathan, thank you for your service.

At the end of the business meeting, the Beta Xi chapter elected new officers to fill the positions left by the Seniors. Brother Johnny De Vito will assume the position of Philanthropy and Service Chair; Brother James Van Sweringen will assume the position of Sergeant at Arms, and Brother Peter Lindner will assume the position of Social Chair. We look forward to your work boys!

On Monday, May third, the Beta Xi boys celebrated the Senior Send Off, a dinner to thank and commemorate the awesome friendship and service that the Seniors have given to the Brotherhood. President Ryan Rockmore made a toast to each of them, mentioning their special contributions to the past and the future of Delta Lambda Phi.

There were numerous events that are evidence of the progress that the Beta Xi chapter has made in recent months. From the welcoming of ten new brothers into the Fraternity in this academic year alone, the staging of a hugely successful drag show for charity, involvement in countless more service programs, and a renewed sense or functionality and organization, the torch of NYU’s Beta Xi burns bold and bright. It is all summed up with this chapter being awarded the honor of the National Fraternity’s featured chapter of the week. Take a few seconds and follow this link to watch the video Brother, Vice-President, and Press Secretary Joseph Picini composed:

Featured Chapter of the Week

In other news, the Beta Xi chapter received a series of awards in the Greek community at NYU. President Ryan Rockmore was recognized as the President of the year for his tireless, hard work in the past two semesters. This is a tremendous honor for Ryan, the Beta Xi chapter, and Delta Lambda Phi as a whole as he competed with the able Presidents of every other fraternity and sorority at the New York University. The Greek community also recognized brothers Trent Hart, Nathan Miller, and Fernando Contreras for their many years of service; it was a fitting recognition and farewell to three seniors we will miss dearly.

The Beta Xi chapter also participated in the AIDS walk of New York City. Raising nearly two thousand dollars for the cause, the Beta Xi brothers made their presence known in the LGBTQ community through their selflessness and compassion for others.

The Beta Xi Chapter of Delta Lambda Phi hopes every brother has a great summer! Good luck on finals, spend time with friends, and make your presence known!

With the end of this week, the Beta Xi chapter of Delta Lambda Phi has truly made its presence known in the New York University, LGBTQ, and DLP communities!

On Saturday, April tenth, the Iota New Member class, consisting of James Van Sweringen, Johnny De Vito, David Meyers, Anthony Obregon, Chris Cheasty, Peter Lindner, and Timothy Wu, was initiated into the Brotherhood. This addition to the Beta Xi Chapter is full of dedication, ambition, and promise sure to be a foundation for the future of the chapter and of our Fraternity as a whole. Each New Member passed his pledgication tests seamlessly and then travelled throughout the city on a journey commemorating their time as pledges and their bonds of brotherhood. Congratulations boys! We are positive of your future success and look forward to its realization.

The Iota Class will also be visiting the DLP colony at Rutgers the weekend of April 16th. The evnt is sure to be a time of fraternal bonding and leadership building. Good luck boys!

In other news, the NYU Greek Community held its annual Greek Week, full of sorority and fraternity sponsored events. The Beta Xi boys made a strong showing at each one and, one of its own, President Ryan Rockmore received the honor (deservedly so) of the title of Greek God. In front of the entire Greek Community, Brother Ryan executed an amazing flamenco routine that, so different from anything else shown that night, truly did make out presence known. Great job Ryan! We are proud of you for stepping up, and we appreciate both your willingness and leadership in doing so.

Another highlight of Greek Week was a 90s themed gala sponsored by Zeta Psi. Fraternities and Sororities displayed their talent to relive bad pop and boy bands. Brothers Ryan Rockmore, Joe Picini, Johnny De Vito, Nathan Miller, and Miles Florence Jackson scored a ten for their rousing rendition of Spice World, from the Spice Girls. Almost completely in drag, their performance received a mass applause atop the Rosenthal Pavilion in the Kimmel Center for Student Life.

Brother Fernando Contreras’ play Fuente Ovejuna has been showing throughout the week at the Tisch School of Fine Arts theatre. The show has been a massive success, and all the brothers who attended found the experience to be both entertaining and impressive. Congratulations Fern on your excellent acting.

Finally, the Beta Xi chapter congratulates Brother and President Ryan Rockmore on reaching his 21st birthday on April 18th. The week end of celebration is sure to be fun and exciting.

On March 6th, the Beta Xi chapter of Delta Lambda Phi held its biggest event of the year: a drag show to raise funds for the charity Health Outreach To Teens, which serves the healthcare needs of homeless and at-risk youth, a community disproportionately dominated by LGBTQ identifying individuals.

Vice-President Joe Picini impressed everyone with his classy and convincing style.

Inside the Rosenthal Pavilion at NYU’s Kimmel Center for Student Life, students, drag queens, and student drag queens gathered for a spectacle.  Professional drag queens Dominique Aviance and Jacqueline Dupree began the evening with an amazing duet and, throughout the evening, entertained students with their witty remarks and astute observations while several drag judges (Sherry Vine, Epiphany Get Paid, Logan Hardcore, and Yuhua Hamasaki), themselves decked out and oozing of femininity, evaluated the many fraternity and sorority representatives who attempted their art.

President Ryan Rockmore also addressed the audience, making light of the event’s purpose and, simultaneously, letting DLP’s presence be known. Philanthropy and Service Chair Nathan Aaron Miller, though looking more like a Nathena, presented a powerful video he both directed and edited for HOTT, which excellently communicated the tremendous service that HOTT has done and continues to do in its target community.

Vice-President Joe Picini and Philanthropy and Service Chair Nathan Miller showing theirs off.

Students strutted their stuff down the glitzy catwalk to music while students cheered them on.  Some also participated in the several raffles, the prizes (valued at $1,600 in total) of which were donated by certain compassionate businesses in the NYU community.

Was it a success? By any standard: absolutely.  The needs of the gay community were brought to light throughout the event; a large sum of money was raised; and everyone seemed to have a great time, leaving both entertained and informed.

In other news, the Beta Xi chapter enjoyed its mixer with the girls from the local Kappa Psi Delta chapter in their house at Lafayette on Thursday, March 25th.

Also, Brother Joseph Santiago will be attending ERC in Miami and will represent the chapter at the many fraternal events there.

The event, entitled “DLP’s HOTT Drag Race,” is a runway-style “walk-off” competition and will be judged by a panel of four professional drag queens (Sherry Vine, Epiphany Get Paid, Bianca Del Rio, Yuhua Hamasaki) and Greek Life Advisor, Allison Harris. Fraternities and sororities will each enter one representative to compete in their respective categories.

All proceeds from tickets, silent auctions, and raffles will be donated to Heath Outreach to Teens (HOTT) – a program run by Callen-Lorde Community Health Center which provides everything from primary care to HIV/AIDS treatment to homeless, poor, and at-risk LGBTQ youth aged 13-24.

Some of our exciting raffle/silent auction donations include:
Steve Madden gift card, I-Salon, Village Cuts, David Letterman tickets, flamenco lessons with Victorio Korjhan, and many more to come!

The event is goes from 7:30 to 11 pm, with doors opening at 7. Tickets are available at Ticket Central now and are available to NYU and non-NYU guests. You can buy tickets at the Ticket Central box office located in the Skirball Center or online through NYU Home using your credit card!

NYU Students: $5 in advance, $7 at door
Non-NYU Students: $10 in advance, $12 at door

—Our Wonderful Sponsors—
Inter Greek Council, Inter Fraternity Council, NYU LGBT Office, Alpha Sigma Tau, Kappa Psi Delta, and Sigma Phi Epsilon

On Sunday, February 21st, the Beta Xi chapter of Delta Lambda Phi inducted nine new men as New Members. Congratulations to all of them in taking a major step toward brotherhood. They have each been assigned a big brother whose support will enhance this important process: Johnny DeVito to Ryan Rockmore, Jackson Wimberly to Scott Gale, James Van Sweringen to Joe Picini, Jake Russell Tapleshay to Miles Florence Jackson, David Meyers to Daniel Kosasa, Timothy Wu to Fernando Contreras, Chris Cheasty and Anthony Obregon to Nathan Miller, and Peter Lindner to Chadly Stern.

The New Members enjoyed their first meeting as the chapter brothers hammered through a slew of amendments to the chapter’s constitution that will, undoubtedly, strengthen the foundations for the future of the fraternity. These amendments included a stricter policy toward hazing, the formalizing of chapter disciplinary actions, and an involved discussion regarding dues.

Brother Fernando Contreras’ show What the Butler Saw was an explosive success. The brothers who attended the event all enjoyed it and look forward to other projects that Brother Fernando has in store for the future. Great job Fern!

The Beta Xi Chapter now prepares for its major event of the year and largest to date: DLP’s HOTT Drag Race. A fundraiser for the organization Health Outreach to Teens(HOTT), the event will host several acclaimed drag queens as well as representatives from the NYU Greek community (who will also be in drag).

February 20 – NYU’s Beta Xi chapter of Delta Lambda Phi (DLP), the National Social fraternity for Gay, Bisexual and Progressive men, is hosting a drag event on Saturday, March 6 in the Rosenthal Pavilion.

The event, entitled “DLP’s HOTT Drag Race,” is a runway-style “walk-off” competition and will be judged by a panel of six professional drag queens. Fraternities and sororities will each enter one representative to compete in their respective categories.

All proceeds from tickets, silent auctions, and raffles will be donated to Heath Outreach to Teens (HOTT) – a program run by Callen-Lorde Community Health Center which provides everything from primary care to HIV/AIDS treatment to homeless, poor, and at-risk LGBTQ youth aged 13-24.

“HOTT’s a fantastic organization that helps a group of individuals who cannot afford basic necessities, much less health care,” Beta Xi’s President Ryan Rockmore said.

There are 16 to 20 thousand homeless youth in New York City. Sixty percent of that number either openly identify as LGBTQ or are questioning.

The event is goes from 7:30 to 11 pm, with doors opening at 7. Tickets are available at Ticket Central now.

Delta Lambda Phi is a national fraternity providing social, service, and recreational activities for gay, bisexual, and progressive men since 1986. DLP has more than 25 chapters and 7 colonies across the nation. NYU’s Beta Xi chapter received its charter in spring of 2007.

Congratulations to all the boys who have accepted their bids to become new members of the Beta Xi chapter of Delta Lambda Phi: Johnny De Vito, Chris Cheasty, Jackson Wimberley, Peter Lindner, David Meyers, Anthony Obregon, James Van Sweringen, Jake Russell Tapleshay, and Timothy Wu. This was a record recruitment with a total of NINE potential new members. All the brothers are very excited to meet with each of them, get to know them better, and see what they have to offer the fraternity and what the fraternity has to offer them. Good luck to each of them as they begin their education process towards brotherhood!

Vice-President Joe Picini deserves a tremendous thank you for his absolutely excellent job organizing recruitment this term. It could not have been better. Thanks go out to all the other brothers who helped out with the events too.

On the February 7th meeting, the Beta Xi chapter of DLP was ecstatic to welcome back Brother Chadly Stern from his semester abroad in Florence!

Find your community at NYU with Delta Lambda Phi this spring! Come out and join the boys of DLP as we explore the city and the different communities it offers. Plus with DLP it’ll be a memorable week.

Sunday, January 31 – Meet the DLP Community: Come out and meet the boys of Delta Lambda Phi
Kimmel 903 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Monday, February 1 – Online Community: A night of youtube videos and pop culture. Come and watch the funny/interesting videos the brothers of DLP have prepared or bring a few links of your own.
Kimmel 910 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Tuesday, February 2 – The Village Community: We’ll be exploring the West Village, stopping at significant historical sites of the gay community and the Gay Rights movement..
Kimmel Lobby on Stairs
6:30

Wednesday, Feb 3 – Gaming Night: Test your skills against the Boys of DLP in a friendly game of Wii sports.
Kimmel 906 6:30 – 8:30

Thursday, Feb 4 – Let’s Talk About Sex: Enjoy a night filled with sex talk and games along with answers to all your dying questions about the world down under.
Third floor of the Student Health Center (726 Broadway) in the Health Promotions Office, directly to the left of the elevators. 6:30

Friday, Feb 5 – The Art Community: The MoMa (Free after 4pm on Fridays)
Kimmel Lobby by the stairs 5:10

Saturday, Feb 6 – Community OUTreach: A day filled with fun volunteer activities giving back to the LGBT community while learning more about the Beta Xi Brothers and meeting other people!

Sunday, Feb 7 – Bid Dinner (by invitation only)

Hey everyone!
We finally have the links for our winning skit & dance for Greek Night 2009! Hope you enjoy!

Skit

Dance

Congratulations to the new members who will be going through the pledge period this fall: Daniel Kosasa, Joey Santiago, and Gian Manalili! They will be great additions to an already successful chapter! Speaking of successful NYU’s annual “Greek Night” competition has gone and past. I am very happy to report that Beta Xi won the Skit + Dance portion for the fraternities with our skit “Greekshow”! We killed it on stage with a routine choreographed by none other than our own Fernando Contreras and Miles Jackson! Congrats again to everyone who was involved and came out to cheer. Want to see the full thing? Well it is time to announce our official YouTube page! From here on out any video media will posted under our official YouTube account. Pictures of Greek Night will also show up on our official Flickr page as well very soon. In the meantime watch the winning skit right now!

http://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialBetaXi

Til’ next time!

-Eddie