Fraternity Loses Its Charter After Displaying ‘No Means Yes’ Banner At A Party

The Texas Tech chapter of the international fraternity Phi Delta Theta is being stripped of its charter following controversy over a party last month that included a banner reading “No Means Yes, Yes Means Anal.”

In September, images of the banner were posted on the sites BroBible and Total Frat Move. Those photos of the party also showed a sprinkler in the shape of female genitalia that sprayed guests with water. The incident prompted Texas Tech University to launch an investigation, and Phi Delta Theta suspended the chapter while reviewing the case.

Indeed, these type of pro-rape messages aren't entirely uncommon. In 2008, frat brothers at Yale University chanted the exact same message — “No Means Yes! Yes Means Anal!” — sparking a federal investigation and eventually getting the chapter suspended. More recently, a fraternity at Georgia Tech was suspended after leaked emails exposed the brothers discussing “how to lure your rapebait.”

The idea that “no” can somehow mean “yes” during a sexual encounter isn’t limited to college students. One 2009 study found that some Americans, particularly people who subscribe to traditional gender norms and don’t place as much value on gender equality, believe that acquaintance rape doesn't count as an assault even if a woman says “no.” Recently, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh sparked outrage for suggesting that men know that “no means yes if you know how to spot it.”


http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/10/08/3577243/texas-tech-fraternity-banner/