Xi Omicron Iota, a Missouri State University Sorority, changed one of its membership requirements to include transgender students. A proposal was passed last week to change one of the sorority’s requirements from “be a girl” to “identify as a girl.” Kara Venzian, a junior political science major and Xi Omicron Iota secretary, proposed the change in order to modernize the sorority.
“I think it’s important that we give all women a chance to become part of our sisterhood,” she said. “This just essentially brings (Xi Omicron Iota) into the 21st century.”
There are only three membership requirements for Xi Omicron Iota, according to the sorority’s bylaws. Along with identifying as female, students must also attend MSU full time and have at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA.
Danielle Marquard, a senior marketing major and president of Xi Omicron Iota, said the change shows that the sorority is full of “welcoming, open women.”
The requirement change came just in time for Xi Omicron Iota’s fall recruitment, which starts on Sept. 13. Even though some students won’t like the requirement change, Venzian said a lot of MSU students are trying to be more accepting and welcoming. She hopes students will appreciate the change, and it will lead to more progress in accepting others. “I hope that maybe this is a first step in a long line of improvements that all organizations will take,” Venzian said.
I love this story and would think about joining, if I were a MSU transwoman.
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