Two women have been ousted from the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, a sisterhood they had been active members of for 50 years, due to their support and involvement in fundraising for a lawsuit aimed at removing a trans-identifying biological male from the sorority.
Sorority Terminates Membership Of Two Alumnae After They Supported Lawsuit To Boot Trans-Identifying Member https://t.co/FSKwuQJBIL pic.twitter.com/WLe8gjJA7w
— Daily Wire News (@DailyWireNews) November 14, 2023
Patsy Levang, who had previously served as the Kappa Kappa Gamma National Foundation president, and Cheryl Tuck-Smith, who had dedicated decades to the organization, found themselves cast out in a decision made by the national leadership, as confirmed by the Independent Women’s Forum, which recently issued a press release on the matter.
According to the IWF, the executive director cited multiple violations of the organization’s bylaws in relation to the Wyoming lawsuit.
The controversy began with a lawsuit filed by six sorority sisters challenging the admission of Artemis Langford, a biological man who identifies as a woman. The lawsuit, which accused Langford of being a predator, alleged that he had engaged in voyeuristic behavior and had a visible erection while doing so.
However, a federal judge dismissed the case in August, and it is now before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Following the dismissal of the case, the sorority’s standards director accused Levang and Tuck-Smith of using the sorority’s email and contact list for fundraising and violating the organization’s media policy by identifying themselves as Kappa members without permission.
In a letter written to both women in September, the standards director wrote, “We have become aware of multiple instances … in which you have spoken to media about the ongoing litigation in a manner that is injurious to the organization and perpetuates harmful stereotypes and false information without seeking approval from Kappa Kappa Gamma Headquarters.”
Their final dismissal was conveyed via an email from the sorority’s executive director on Nov. 1.
Both Levang and Tuck-Smith have defended themselves, maintaining that their expulsion contradicted the values upheld by Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Voicing her disappointment at the sorority’s actions, Levang lamented, “My heart was saddened when the current six council members voted me out. However, I will not be quiet about the truth.”
Tuck-Smith also expressed feelings of hurt toward the termination. She also feels “disturbed” that KKG has become “a political tool rather than an organization that promotes women.”
The two believe that their dismissal highlights the dangers of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, which they argue do not truly support diversity, equity, and inclusion.
One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Allison Coghan, stood in solidarity with the women, stating, “It was really disappointing to hear that they’re being dismissed because this is retaliation against women, and it’s supposed to be an organization meant for women.”
“So to hear that they didn’t want to see these brave women sticking up for us and supporting us, then, I mean, where are we supposed to go? Where are women supposed to go if a women’s organization isn’t going to stick up for itself?” she added.
