Emerson College fraternity raises money for transgender brother’s surgery

A group of fraternity brothers in Boston are proving that frats can do more than throw crazy ragers. At a time when college fraternities are getting a bad rap for the things they do, a group of guys is stepping up for a good cause.

Member of Emerson College’s Phi Alpha Tau fraternity started an Indiegogo page to raise funds to pay for a transgender brother’s sex reassignment surgery.

Once prospective brother Donnie Collins, who was born female but identifies as male, announced he was denied financial support from his insurance for top surgery, his brothers took it upon themselves to help.

With Collins’ surgery already schedule for May 2013, the “communicative arts” fraternity started raising money.

The initial goal was quickly surpassed and at on Monday, the brothers upped the goal to $8,100. As of Tuesday afternoon they brothers have exceeded that goal. With almost $11,000 and 40 days of campaigning to go, the fraternity is discussing what to do with the rest of the money.

In the video one of the brothers, Christian Bergren-Aragon, said that beyond raising money, they want to start a conversation through this campaign.

“It’s very different campaign we’re trying to run here. We’re looking to tell a story more so than raise money. We’d much rather have 100 people donate $10 than 10 people donate $100,” one of the Bergren-Aragon said.

In addition to donating money, the Indiegogo page also recommends sharing the campaign, reaching out to those personally connected to this issue and making noise around the world.

“We’re here less to raise money, and more to tell a story. The story of transformation, of self-discovery, and the story of brotherhood,” the men write on the site.

The video ends with one of the brothers declaring “much love.” That’s how we feel about this campaign – so much love.

To donate to the cause click here.

Follow Mary Ann Georgantopoulos on Twitter @marygeorgant