Kappa Iota Nu sets itself apart from other Greek organizations not only at Sacramento State, but throughout the nation: It is the first queer and queer-friendly co-ed fraternity.

“Being queer, like any minority, comes with encountering some issues that others don’t have. We specifically address problems that may and do arise in the queer experience that interfere with education,” said the president of the organization, Fantasia Stensland, a senior business real-estate and land-use major. Kappa Iota Nu (KIN) has been on campus for a full year, since spring 2006. The group petitioned for establishment in January and was successfully chartered by March, so it only took a few months, said Tom Carrol, the program adviser for Greek organizations.

KIN currently has 10 active members. Inactive members are always welcome to come back, Stensland said.

Leah Babcock is thankful to have found KIN as a starting freshman.

“I really love (it). Being a freshman, I didn’t really know anyone on campus and Kappa Iota Nu is amazing. I look forward to every Monday for our meetings. It’s like having a family away from home,” said Babcock, a social work major.

KIN’s mission statement is having the purpose to help and assist queer and queer-friendly students throughout the college experience.

“Students may not realize they are queer until they get to college. They come out to their parents and can often be ostracized, and lose all support financially and emotionally. I mean, what do kids like that do for the holidays?” she said. Members of KIN find the environment supportive and free of prejudice, regardless of demographics and sexual preference. Although other groups aren’t generally hostile toward queer involvement, having a strictly safe and open environment is helpful, Stensland said.

“I like being a part of something that doesn’t discriminate anyone based on race, sexuality or sexual orientation. It’s nice to be a part of something where everyone supports one another. We’re a great team,” said Elaina Zarka, a junior liberal studies major and secretary of the group.

As a new organization, KIN has begun to focus its philanthropic efforts toward the homeless community in Sacramento. The members of KIN held a toy drive April 14 to collect and donate toys to children in need at the St. John’s Shelter for Women and Children in Sacramento, Zarka said.

KIN members will also be marching in the PRIDE parade in San Francisco, during PRIDE week in June.

They invite all members and supporters to march with them, Zarka said.

“We hope to integrate more with the Greek community. Our first priority has been to get it right with our members. We want to put ourselves out there so others can find us and our support network can continue to gain strength,” Stensland said.

The fraternity holds meetings, at 7 p.m. on Mondays in the University Union.

Students who want to learn more about Kappa Iota Nu are encouraged to check out KIN on MySpace at: www.myspace.com/kappaiotanu.

Bailey Mannisto-Iches can be reached at [email protected]