Posted March 20, 2007 – Weeks after BET.com first reported that a group of gay men formed their own unofficial organization under the name of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., members are seeing red.

Members of the historic sorority, which was founded in 1908, say the men  have hijacked the sorority's name, colors and paraphernalia – and that's not cool.

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The pictures of the men, who call themselves the Tri Alpha Chapter of "Miaka" – men interested in Alpha Kappa Alpha, have been surfacing all over the net for weeks.

The photos feature men, who are supposedly students from both Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University, in the ivy stance, posing  in the sorority's official colors.

One member of Miaka, who says he's been a member for six years now,  posted on the BET.com message boards under the "name 4_the_educated," and said that the Tri Alpha chapter did not abide by the first and second rule.

“Rule #1: always be discreet in everything you say and do. Rule #2: always refer back to rule #1.” What you displayed goes completely against PENALIZATION.

As a “Male AKA” I must say to all ground level sorors (FEMALE AKA’S) you all need to go back and read your history. Although, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle is the guiding light, we as AKA’s must give credit where credit is due. Within the MIP manual it stated that a gentleman by the name Wade Lyle who is the brother-in-law of Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, assisted in the orchestrating of this fine Sorority. Furthermore, if Wade Lyle had a passion for Alpha Kappa Alpha why can’t other men do the same.

Go to the next page to see what members from the Divine Nine are saying.

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BET.com reached out to a few members from the Divine Nine to see what they had to say.

This is crazy," said John McNeil, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. "If they understood what Greek life was all about, they wouldn't do it.  Not to mention they shouldn’t be doing this anyway.

Anne Horne-Ragin, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. said that when she got the pictures in an e-mail, she thought it was a joke.

I immediately contacted the person who sent me the e-mail and I said, 'this is a joke right?'  and the girl replied, 'no girl.'  At that point, I became furious. I went online and reactivated my membership, because I wanted make sure nothing like this ever happens again.

When BET.com asked Chad Smith, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., what he thought, he chuckled to himself and replied, "the pictures were out of control.

This is bringing a disgrace to the mission and purpose of our fraternity and sororities. "This is completely disrespectful, especially to the sorority's mission.

Angela Curry-Husky, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., said she had mixed feelings.

I am a diversity leader in my community and in my company, and while I support gay and lesbian rights, this went too far, and I feel that the integrity of my esteemed sorority was compromised.

Derrick Brown, who is openly gay, even expressed concern for the AKA’s reputation.

“You just don’t mock certain things,” Brown said.  “The history behind AKAs, the work that they’ve done in the community and different charities stands for a lot.  As a gay male, I respect this group of women and feel that the MIAKAs should respect the heritage behind the sorority.  If  they felt the need to create an organization, they should have chosen other colors and come up with a different name.”

There’s nothing new about MIAKA. It dates back to the mid-1960s.  But now that these pictures are out in open, thousands of Greeks, especially the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha are seeing red.

Do you think sorority and fraternity members have a legitimate gripe or is it just homphobia?  Click "Discuss Now" to post your comment.