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Four U of VT students charged with Brokeback-related hazing (365.com)

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Lynne:
"(Burlington, Vermont) Four members of a University of Vermont fraternity were charged Monday violating Vermont's new hazing law after pledges were made to dress up as gay cowboys.

The Phi Delta Gamma chapter was suspended last month after the allegations first arose. The four charged are all officers of the fraternity.

Police said that fraternity members required pledges to wear cowboy clothes similar to those worn by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in "Brokeback Mountain." The pledges were then allegedly were taunted with homophobic comments.

At least one student complained to campus police.

The charges are the first to be laid under the new Vermont law. 

"We issued tickets for hazing," UVM Police Chief Gary Margolis told WCAX television Monday night.

"It's a civil violation of the state of Vermont, a $1,000 fine. Those were issued to the four officers of the board"

Margolis said underage drinking was also involved.

UVM Vice President Annie Stevens said the fraternity will remains on suspension and its members face possible disciplinary action by the university."

The link is here:

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/05/050806vermont.htm

I'm reassured that the Universisty has policies to handle this and that Vermont even has criminal statues that can be applied...When I think back to my own sorority memories, I could make a long and stupid list, much of which is mitigated by youth, but I cannot think of anything hateful.  I definintely don't find this funny.  Maybe I'm getting old?
-Lynne

twistedude:
Don't think anyone finds it funny...gee, Two Crows Joy?

Lynne:

--- Quote from: julie01 on May 10, 2006, 01:27:07 am ---Don't think anyone finds it funny...gee, Two Crows Joy?

--- End quote ---

Julie....not sure I understand the Two Crows Joy reference - I thought I was caught up with my fanfic reading, but maybe not...I'll check it out.  Is it just because that story is set in Vermont?

Vermont is probably one of the most liberal states you're going to find in the U.S., particularly considering the lack of large metropolitan areas.

A point I wanted to make, which I think I fumbled, is just that there's a definite line between what's funny and what is not and that line cerrtainly has some gray areas on both sides which vary with the individual.  Not really having the whole story, I cannot say for sure where this hazing businesss falls for me, but my first reaction wais *not funny*.  On the other hand, the Brokebunny Mountain cartoon had me laughing until I thought I would bust a gut.  I just don't want to lose my sense of humour and perspective on the journey.

-Lynne

Lynne:
Here's a follow-up article that details the penalties involved for the hazing infractions:

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7003507889

-Lynne

Aussie Chris:
Am I so out of touch?  I mean I just read this and cracked up:

Vermont's anti-hazing law was passed after a 1999 hazing scandal at UVM in which members of the hockey team were accused of forcing freshman players to drink warm beer until they vomited and march in an "elephant walk'' while holding each other's genitals.

Can't you just see it?  I wonder if they had Mancini's music playing as well?  Maybe it's just me, we don't get a lot of hazing in Australia.

As for the BBM references, well yeah they probably shouldn't be going around taunting each other because that only reinforces more fear and bad behaviour, but I have a little trouble understanding what they did that was offensive to anyone other than the poor sods that were being hazed.  Are people equating hazing with sexual discrimination in this case?

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