A group of sorority sisters from the Kappa Kappa Gamma house at the University of Wyoming have recently come forward to discuss the fear and discomfort they claim to experience due to the presence of a transgender woman in their chapter. The seven women have filed a lawsuit against the university and the 21-year-old trans student, Artemis Langford, who joined their sorority in September 2022.
Langford, who is referred to as “he” and “him” in the lawsuit under the male pseudonym Terry Smith, currently resides outside the sorority house but frequently joins the women for meals and attends events with them, as stated by their attorney during an interview with Megyn Kelly. The sisters express concerns about encountering Langford in the hallways, as they believe their house should be a safe and comfortable space exclusively for women.
According to one of the sorority sisters, Hannah, the situation is particularly distressing because some of her sisters have experienced sexual assault or harassment and wish to feel secure within their home. She emphasizes that the sorority house serves as a unique female-only space, in contrast to mixed-gender dorms where men and women interact freely.
While Langford has been granted certain safety exemptions, allowing him to continue participating in activities at the sorority house, the plaintiffs argue that these measures do not adequately protect the rights and well-being of the female students.
One of the students considered leaving the sorority but ultimately decided to stay after reconnecting with fellow sisters and alumni who reminded her of the importance of the organization. She firmly believes in upholding women’s rights and refuses to let her opportunities be compromised to accommodate a man’s comfort.
The attorney representing the sorority sisters, during an interview with Kelly, emphasizes the need for transgender students to have their own safe spaces but believes it should not come at the expense of female students’ rights. The plaintiffs allege that the national Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, its national council president, and Langford pressured the local chapter to violate sorority rules, disregarding official bylaws that define Kappa Kappa Gamma as a “single-gender” organization.
Kari Kittrell Poole, the executive director of the sorority, has responded to the lawsuit, stating that it contains numerous false allegations and asserting that the sorority does not discriminate against gender identity.
The sorority sisters seek a court ruling to revoke Langford’s membership and request unspecified damages. The University of Wyoming and Kappa Kappa Gamma have been contacted for comment, but no response has been received at this time.