MADISON, Wis. -- A new gay fraternity is opening on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

It is the first gay fraternity on campus in more than 15 years, WISC-TV reported.

"Building a fraternity, a chapter or a colony, is a lot of work. So what I'm doing isn't necessarily for me," said Rodolfo Alaniz, co-founder of Delta Lambda Phi.

Alaniz said that the idea of starting a gay fraternity came up three years ago.

"I think that it's important for people who share a common background or a common perspective, even if they come from different places, to have that safe space to talk about who they are and where they fit into society," Alaniz said.

The students said that they are not surprised that it took years for a gay fraternity to re-emerge because Madison already has a strong Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual community in place for students.

Still, Delta Lambda Phi co-founder Jakob Aebly said that some people are raising questions.

"(They say), 'Why can't you guys just join other fraternities that are around? Why do you think you need a gay fraternity?'" he said.

Drew Willert, vice president of the Interfraternity Council, said the council is welcoming the idea of a gay fraternity.

"Anytime you go with something progressive, you are going to get some resistance. So I think it's a big step for us," Willert said.

Willert said that Delta Lambda Phi is already active and helps with the Langdon Street Neighborhood Watch program.

"One of the most unique things about us is that we are a fairly ordinary fraternity," Aebly said.

Alaniz said he hopes to leave a lasting brotherhood on campus.

"(I want to) make sure there is something left behind for these people when they get here, there is something that they can go to," Alaniz said.

The next step for the fraternity will be to perform next weekend in "Humorology" at the Memorial Union. Fraternity members said they are going in "as the underdog."

Nationwide, there are 23 Delta Lambda chapters, including four Big Ten schools -- the University of Minnesota, Purdue, Ohio and Iowa State.

UW-Madison is one of 10 colonies, a chapter in training, WISC-TV reported.

The fraternity was founded in 1986, and is the nation's oldest and largest social fraternity for gay, bisexual and progressive men.