the young people's professor

This (sub)culture fascinates me still. When I was in college, one of my college friends wanted to join the organization. I thought then, “How odd…why would a man want to be associated with a sorority?” I was quite naïve then. Now, I think I understand the attraction—fierceness. Can a fraternity embody this pulsing grandeur within the LGBT community?

Did they really have a probate show in the parking lot of a fast food joint... wow!

I always though MIAKA's where just a lil brother org to the AKA's. Just like the Delta Gents, Zeta Knights, and SGRho Debos. Sort of similar to the sweethearts that the fraternities have. Alpha Angels, Kappa Sweets, Omega Pearls, Sigma Carnations, and Iota Hearts. Guess I was wrong.

This is FIRE!!! I Applaud these young brothers. This is what it's about. Each generation fighting for freedom. What an appropriate post for this MLK weekend.

I remember my choir director talking about MIAKA's 20 years ago at Delaware State when it was still a college. I had NO idea that it was a soror/frat itself. What is really tripping me out now is that an ALPHA exec was one of them or at least I saw him making that sign and squealing around the "girls".
What is the history behind this group? How long have men been doing this?

I really am fascinated by this cultural move, as well. The idea that so many cultural performances are often appropriated by folks supposedly "outside" the in-group is amazing. But, what's most amazing is that these performances receive so much more criticism than non-appreciative, self-gratifying appropriations by folks like Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy, and Tyler Perry. There is something honorable about the MIAKA process and performance--as they clearly give homage to their "sister" group. Even in the name and the process, they recognize the indebtedness to their foremothers for this potentially liberatory experience. At best, it is provocative and fun...

I'm not sure if I agree with the lovefest for the miAKAs. If gay Black men want to celebrate their black gayness in a fraternal bond, I have no issue with establishing your own organization to promote that bond. However, I have a problem with you appropriating the group of others for your purposes. I think it denotes a certain disrespect for the original group. Alpha Kappa Alpha is a group for women and the establishment of a shadow group for gay men, for me, feels extremely disrespectful. I think I'd respect the idea of a gay frat much more, because it doesn't have to exist in the shadow of a group which was not meant for them,

AKA is a black women's group. Why can't MIAKA creat a black gay frat from scratch? Freedom means starting your own stuff.

Hold the fuck up. I'm all for appropriating symbols and giving them new meaning. But co-opting a groups name, likeness, and rituals in the sake of bonding is insulting, ridiculous, and shows a lack of creativity on the part of these young BQs.

Jackson: Yes there are PLENTY of OUT and men who think they are in the closet but everybody knows they are gay in Frats. Also there are gay frats and sororites that build their bond on the shared experience of being BGLBT.

Cash S: No, you are right. MIAKAs are suppossed to be an auxillary group, back in the day these auxillary groups for men where how the frats would pick their next line.

Anonymous: This is not fire, how is this freedom? I mean clearly, they are appropriating symbols, rituals, and ideals of a group set out to exclude them NOT based upon their sexuality but on their gender.

Andy1: They aren't. The history behind how these contemporary MIAKA's and Delta Gents who claim to be AKA's and Deltas got started happened with the outlawing of pledging/hazing. After the process went underground, members caughting pleding or hazing aspirants were banned, or suspended. So in order to get back some of these people started lines of gay men and taught them the rituals, the codes, etc. Voila there ya go. Men have been doing these for awhile unforunately, and so do lesbians. But straight men do it too, they are called Renegades.

Jeffery: Baby, you are giving them more credit than these kids deserve. They are not appropriating this, it is not respectful, and when asked to cease they continue. When you have worked hard for your letters, done everything the right way, and these people come in and do this, its disgraceful.

Donnie Black: BINGO

Elg: Exactly.

elg: I agree with you 100%. This is a hot mess...

Whwn this issue came up last year I was all for defending the MIAKA'S simply because straight people immediately went to making it a "gay" issue rather than an issue of disrespect(or homage) for another organization. However, after viewing this clip, I'm not so sure. It's all so obviously gay and somehow it seems a mockery of the org. Maybe they chose the wrong place to probate because it looked like an all gay crowd in the parking lot of some fast food establishment! Maybe it's because other seemingly self appointed MIAKA's are crossing them without input from actual AKA's. I kinda like the idea of MIAKA. Alot of gay boys really admire the lovely ladies of AKA( and the other sororities) and vice verse and it is a form of homage in theory. The AKA's know about the MIAKA's and there have been MIAKA's for a long time. But it really wasn't an issue until a few over zealous queens posted all their pics and probate videos.

AS I MEMBER OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THESE MEN ARE MAKING A MOCKERY TO MY ORGANIZATION. THIS IS BLATANT DISRESPECT! IF THEY WANTED TO CREATE AN ORGANIZATION THEY COULD'VE CREATED A FRATERNITY FOR GAY MEN. THE WORD SORORITY COMES FROM THE GREEK WORD "SOROR" MEANING SISTER. THESE MEN WOULD BE FRATS IN A FRATERNITY WHICH IS FOR MEN AND MEANS BROTHERHOOD. BY USING THE SYMBOLS AND PINK AND GREEN MORE SPECIFICALLY (SALMON PINK AND APPLE GREEN) WHICH ARE OUR OFFICIAL COLORS SINCE 1908, THEY ARE BEING DISRESPECTFUL. I THINK THESE "Miakas" SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ON CAMPUS.IF THEY WANT TO SERVE THE PURPOSE OF SERVICE TO ALL MANKIND(WHICH IS PART OF OUR MISSION) THEN THEY SHOULD BEGIN THEIR ON FRATERNITY FOR GAY MEN.

As i remember being apart of a Fraternal Organization, of the IFC I've learned that Alpha Kappa Alpha is not the first sorority to have the colors of pink and green, it is Delta Zeta Sorority that was founded in 1902 that had the colors of pink and green first, You would think that you are making a Mockery of this fine sorority that happens to be larger that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority INC. Just Playing Devils Advocate. So don''t be holy and thou and said its your colors because this sorority who was incorporated way before alpha kappa Alpha was incorporated (1913) (irony). be careful on how you word it and know your facts. Thank You ( o i'm black by the way)

The colors of Delta Zeta sorority are rose and green and the colors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated are SALMON PINK and APPLE GREEN. Research before you post...

Truly disgraceful. Honestly repulsive. Remarkably disrespectful, and ULTIMATELY WRONG!!! The definition of Sorority is "A group of WOMEN joined together in friendship for leadership and academic purposes." Since when did you men become women? Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is tired of having to deal with these types of situations that arise within the black community. Not only do we have to deal with the "stuck-up" stereotypes and other sororities who try to imitate us, but we have to deal with MEN who steal our colors, precepts...OUR WHOLE NAME!!! And no, I'm not talking about the way ppl say the Deltas want to be like us or anything like that. Some of my best friends are members of Delta Sigma Theta and I love them all. No disrespect to others in the Divine Nine either. I'm talking about caucasian girls who aren't even Greek wearing our Letters or ppl trying to claim that they belong to something when they've gone through nothing!!! This is rude, wicked, conniving, and it needs to stop. And don't try to throw out the "women belong in fraterties" card. This is true, but they have permission. In the beginning, there were only fraternities. But now, there's a difference, and as long as I'm a member Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., I doubt I well ever accept males who want to be women in my organization.

I know back in the day the gents and miaka's(which became CI's, inc.) were little brothers to the Delta's and AKA's....That's all...It's not like they wanted to become them...non-greek organizations were suppose to be a stepping stone to pledge greek(alpha,omega,kappa,or sigma)....as in the sweethearts wanting to pledge delta,zeta,SGRho,or AKA...these organizations formed brotherhood like the greeks....on most yards most people decide not to pledge greek and just stay in the non-greek organization.