Delta Phi Upsilon, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for Gay Men of Color, was founded at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida on January 15, 1985. By Brother Trevor A. Charles.  The organization’s particular purpose is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards among gay men of color. Its vision is for gay men of color to have their own bond of brotherhood on college campuses everywhere.

At the time, this was greatly desired by many black gay men who had for so long felt the sting of rejection from the more traditional black fraternities. By 1988, the fraternity had grown to include chapters in the states of Florida and Georgia. In addition, a chapter was initiated in Boston, MA in 1995. In 2002, the fraternity expanded to the Southwest and chapters were started in Houston, TX. Our chapters and colonies can be found in various cities throughout the United States with our presence apparent in all communities.

The membership of Delta Phi Upsilon includes men in various professions who are an integral part of their community and who have interested themselves in civic and social betterment throughout the country.

In recent years, members voted to implement a program with emphasis on Health Awareness, Education, Political Empowerment, Heritage & History and Global Concerns.

Various projects have come and gone, but a few have remained and have become Delta staples. These include:

Project PREVENTION, through which chapters are able to provide information on safer sex and the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse;

Project WATCHCARE, which enables chapters to monitor the legislative process in their states, support gay positive legislation and keep the black gay community informed on upcoming legislative events which impact on gay life, and;

Project IMAGE, wherein our members and chapters take the opportunity to replace negative stereotypes generally held about gay people with positive stereotypes. Using the slogan “Because Image is Everything,” our members seek to serve as positive role models in the communities in which they live.