This semester, while students walk through the sea of Greek letters and colored booths leading to the Library Quad, one Greek organization will be making its debut, as well as making history.

Royal blue, silver and orange will be surfacing on campus as Kappa Iota Nu becomes the first coed queer friendly alliance fraternity in the nation. According to the University of Florida’s student newspaper, The Independent Florida Alligator, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender coed fraternity is in its planning stages, but could take up to five years, making Kappa Iota Nu the first Greek organization of its kind.

Founded by three Sacramento State students, the blueprint of the fraternity was laid out last semester. Co-founder and Sac State senior Fantasia Stensland said she came up with the idea while reading an article in the State Hornet.

Stensland, a business real estate and land use major, said the article featured a student who was explaining what her sorority meant to her. It took a millisecond, Stensland said, for her to realize that the gay community needs a similar organization that will provide a sense of belonging and support.

“We are a minority. We will always be a minority,” said Stensland during a fraternity meeting. “It’s important for our community to have this.”

While reading The State Hornet article, Stensland said she realized that this kind of organization is what is lacking in the university.

Gay students, she said, can feel isolated on campus and Kappa Iota Nu will be a way for these students to connect to the campus.

“We’re here to support any student who feels like they don’t belong,” Stensland said.

Members from other Greek organizations feel the start of Kappa Iota Nu may cause some negative reactions.

Tau Kappa Epsilon member Augie Aguilar, a senior communication studies major, said that he’s sure there will be negative reactions, but that the public’s opinion doesn’t really matter.

“I think everyone feels they need to belong to something,” Aguilar said. “It doesn’t bother us.”

Alpha Kappa Delta Phi member Virtue Ventura, a senior business major, said it’s good for Kappa Iota Nu to begin an organization that gears toward a gay-straight alliance. She agreed that society might react negatively, but that Kappa Iota Nu members need to do what they can do to feel connected to the campus.

Being a Greek organization is important to the group because Greek organizations have a long history of integrity, brotherhood, sisterhood and recognition, Stensland said.

The focus of the fraternity will be academics and support.

“Academics is the reason why we are all here (at Sac State),” Stensland said, emphasizing the importance academics will play in the membership of the fraternity.

“(We want to) help students stay in school and enjoy what’s here and (realize) the benefits of what the university has to offer,” she said. “We want to make sure we are here to support each other,” said co-founder Lenaea Sanders.Sanders, a junior English and social work double major, said the organization will focus on socials, activism and philanthropy in addition to academics and support.

Socials will be a way for members to bond, Sanders said. Activism will be practiced to stand up for the organization’s opinions on issues, and philanthropy will be to help others, she said.

The fraternity defines itself as a nongender specific, queer friendly fraternity dedicated to family, friendship, community and human rights, according to its Web site.

Though there are exclusively gay fraternities and lesbian sororities, Stensland said the division between genders is not right for the gay community.

In addition, the fraternity does not want to exclude heterosexuals. Stensland said it’s important for the community to realize the fraternity does not want to be exclusively queer.

Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders and heterosexuals are all invited to join the fraternity, said co-founder Nick Franco, a junior and social work major. “Basically if you’re human you can join our fraternity.”

Like other Greek organizations, becoming a member of Kappa Iota Nu is a lifelong commitment. Though the details are not clearly defined, all co-founders stressed that members need to make time for the organization and for other members ?” even when they leave the campus.

Currently, co-founders Stensland, Sanders and Franco are the fraternities’ only official members, and since the fraternity is new to the pledging process, their initiation will be earlier than other Greek organizations. Stensland said initiation for Kappa Iota Nu will be held on Feb. 11, and anyone who is interested and committed to become a member of the fraternity will be initiated.

Prospective member Jenna Franco, sister of Nick Franco, said she never thought of joining a Greek organization until Kappa Iota Nu came along. “They’re more community-based ?” it’s a place for everyone. They accept everyone and that’s what I’m all about,” said Jenna, a sophomore criminal justice major.

Elaina Zaika, a sophomore and liberal studies major, pledged for a sorority in the past, but believes the new fraternity is an organization that’s more for her. “I love diversity,” Zaika said. “I’m all for it.”

Rush events for Kappa Iota Nu will continue until Feb. 10. For more information, visit www.kappaiotanu.com or e-mail the organization at [email protected].

Nika Megino can be reached at [email protected]