Lou Camera, Delta Lambda Phi's executive director and director of student activities at Cal State University in Sacramento, joined the fraternity as an honorary member in an effort to get the chapter started on his campus. He saw gay men pushed away from frats despite Cal State's nondiscriminatory laws, and he witnessed broken friendships when men came out to their fraternities. Although the reason they were forced out of their chapters was never directly blamed on the men's sexual orientation, it was clear to Camera that the fraternities found other ways to get the gay brother to give up their memberships. He decided to help by giving the gay men a fraternity of their own, which would be separate but equal with everything from social functions to community service opportunities. On many campuses, Delta Lambda Phi is a part of the campus' Greek Council and pairs with other houses for events such as Homecoming.
Camera says the gay fraternity is accepted and respected on most campuses.
Delta Lambda Phi's female counterpart is the Lambda Delta Lambda sorority, also founded in 1986. But the lesbian sorority's strength is dwindling. There are only two chapters now in existence. This dependence on alumni also affects traditional Greek houses. This dependence causes anguish for student members when dealing with modern issues that alumni would rather ignore.