A fraternity at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD, is coming under fire after members allegedly rejected a pledge because of his sexual orientation.
Brian Stewart, a former White House intern, had long dreamed of becoming a member of his university's Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity because his childhood pastor and mentor had been a part of the organization.
He received a rejection letter the day after his interview from Alpha Iota -- Morgan State University's chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. Then, shortly after his denial by the fraternity, Stewart, through an undisclosed source, received a series of messages exchanged between members of the fraternity regarding his application.
One message, in part, reportedly stated that members of the fraternity should "give him the perception of a fair and equal opportunity" in terms of his rejection. Another message allegedly used an anti-gay slur.
"I couldn't even be angry because I was so hurt," he told the Baltimore Sun.
The university has reportedly opened an investigation into Stewart's allegations following his filing of a formal complaint. "The university doesn't tolerate or accept any kind of discrimination," claimed Jarrett Carter Sr., a representative of Morgan State University. "It's something that the university takes very, very seriously."
"I didn't know I was going to have no control," Stewart told reporters, "...That my interview meant nothing, my achievements meant nothing, because they had already made up their minds."
Kappa Alpha Psi reportedly does not make any mention of non-discrimination based on sexual orientation on its website, which states, "KAPPA ALPHA PSI is justly proud that the Constitution has never contained any clause which either excluded or suggested the exclusion of a man from membership merely because of his color, creed, or national origin."
Stewart is no longer interested in pledging for the fraternity and reportedly filed the complaint against the organization in order to raise awareness.
Before You Go
