ORLANDO, Fla. — A student at the University of Central Florida in Orlando says he has been banned from joining a fraternity because he is openly gay.
George Dumont, 19, alleges he was removed from the pledge group of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, five days before his initiation last fall, because of his sexual orientation, reports Florida Today.
Dumont has since filed a complaint with the university, and is now turning to social media to talk about his rejection because, he says, he suffered a “dark period” of depression following the incident.
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“My two main goals are for the truth to come out and for my reputation to be reconciled and repaired,” Dumont said, when asked why he was coming forward with the allegation now. He said he also worried about how people would respond.
The fraternity’s president, Nat Jones, has denied Dumont’s allegation and expressed disappointment over the YouTube video, which now has more than 18,000 views.
In that video (below) Dumont shows a text message exchange he had with another Beta Theta Pi member. When Dumont asked “was there a reason” for his removal, the member suggested it was because members of the group were “uncomfortable” with Dumont’s sexual orientation, referring to other “homophobic” members.
Dumont said another member of the fraternity also confirmed at a later date that he was rejected because he is gay.
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The Orlando Sentinel reports that UCF spokesman Chad Binette said Monday the issue is still under review by the school’s Office of Student Conduct, which looks into complaints brought against student organizations.
