News
Gov. Vetoes Rights for Transgender Vermonters
Back in the Closet or Out in the Mainstream?
Sen. Ed Flanagan Returns to the Statehouse
First Tickets Issued Under New Hazing Law
Move On In: SafeSpace to Share Space with R.U.1.2?
First Tickets Issued Under New Hazing Law
UVM Fraternity Accused of Gay-Bashing
BURLINGTON — UVM police charged four fraternity officers under Vermont’s new anti-hazing law last month in connection with an incident in which pledges were made to dress up like gay cowboys for a party, WCAX-TV News reported.
UVM police issued tickets to board officers of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, also known as FIJI, the report said. The civil violation carries a $1,000 fine, according to Police Chief Gary Margolis. It was the first time charges had been made under the state law.
The new law prohibits acts in connection with pledging “intended to have the effect of, or expected to have the effect of endangering the mental health and/or physical health of the student,” Margolis was quoted. The pledges were “made to dress up like gay cowboys and taunted as a result of that, based on the Brokeback Mountain theme. There was at least one pledge who was very uncomfortable with the events as they took place.”
At press time, UVM had not taken disciplinary action against the fraternity officers, although the fraternity had been placed on suspension.