Delta Lambda Phi () is an international social fraternity for gay, bisexual, transgender and progressive men. It offers a social environment and structure similar to other Greek-model college fraternities. The fraternity was founded on October 15, 1986, by Vernon L. Strickland III in Washington, D.C.: becoming the first national social fraternity for gay, bisexual, and straight progressive men. The full, corporate name of the fraternity is Delta Lambda Phi Social Fraternity, but it is commonly referred to as "DLP" by its members. As of 2007, DLP was one of the fastest-growing fraternities in the United States. History Delta Lambda Phi was founded in Washington, D.C., on October 15, 1986, by Vernon L. Strickland III, a law student at Georgetown University. Strickland had been acting as informal legal counsel to another student who had been denied fraternity membership due to the presumption that he was gay. When Strickland became aware of other examples of this, he began organizing a fraternity with a more welcoming model. The fraternity was incorporated in D.C. on September 10, 1987. In April, 1988 a group of gay men at UCLA were recognized as the first Delta Lambda Phi chapter to be affiliated with a university. Membership Delta Lambda Phi's membership is open to all men whether they are gay, bisexual, transgender, or straight. There are three types of chapters: campus-based, multi-campus based, and community based. Campus and multi-campus chapters are generally open to male college-aged students who live in the area. Community-based chapters do not require their members to be students. Delta Lambda Phi strictly prohibits hazing, and it adheres to an extensive, fraternity-wide Risk Management Policy. Delta Lambda Phi has been a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) since 2013. The fraternity was the first (and as of 2013 only) cultural interest fraternity for gay, bisexual, transgender, and progressive men. Purposes The three purposes of the fraternity are: To develop dignified and purposeful social, service, and recreational activities for all men, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender expression; To lead in determining the rights and privileges of individuals in society; and, To present a strong and positive image which respects the diversity of all individuals. Symbols and traditions The heraldic crest of Delta Lambda Phi contains eleven symbolic elements, each of which carries a special meaning. The fraternity's mascot is the Lambda Centaur, which is modeled after Chiron, the only immortal centaur from