While there are members of the greek community who are gay and lesbian, Penn State does not have fraternities or sororities for these groups.

Those who led both organizations said there wasn't interest in having a fraternity or sorority that focused on providing an open community for gays and lesbians.

The Penn State chapter of Lambda Delta Omega sorority closed this semester due to lack of membership. "It was tough [to close the sorority]," said former member Jennifer Woolson (senior-communications).

Sorority President Kamilah Cole and Woolsen were the only remaining members of the sorority before it closed.

Declining membership also caused the 2002 closing of Delta Lambda Phi fraternity.

The organizations' past leaders said the groups did not specifically try to inform the greek community of homosexuality.

"[Lambda Delta Omega] wasn't really an activist group, they were more of a sisterhood," said Jane Neitz, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life.

Lambda Delta Omega was an associate of the Panhellenic Council, meaning the sorority paid dues and attended meetings but had no voting privileges within the council.

Russel Martin, the 2002 Delta Lambda Phi president, said the chapter opened in 1998 dedicated to serving the whole community's needs.

"The founder saw a need for a fraternity that did not discriminate," Martin said.

The fraternity was never a part of the Interfraternity Council, he said. "Being new, young and gay, we wanted to act together before we did anything like that."

Martin said fraternity members were very involved in the Penn State community and could not dedicate enough time to sustain a new chapter.

"We weren't able to bring people in at the rate we need to counterbalance the people who were graduating," Martin said, adding that there is a chance in the future for the fraternity to reopen at Penn State.

Martin said although the Penn State community tried to be open to LGBT issues, work still needs to be done. He said students must be open to resources provided by the university.

"It is the students' responsibility to be open. ... It works both ways," Martin said.

Woolsen and Cole said they also feel Penn State is not fully open to the issues regarding LBGT students. "It is very true that we do live in central Pennsylvania, and it is not the most liberal area," Cole said.

Allison Subasic, LGBTA student organizations director, said she hopes Penn State can eventually reopen the organizations, but added that there must be interest shown first.