As a couple, they’ve found a strong community of support amongst accepting friends, but also know not everyone embraces their relationship.
“There are lots of diverse groups of people but the campus is still very segregated,” said Miles, who is majoring in creative writing and minoring in theater. “I stay in the theater department or the English department or in our dorms. But I know I would feel unsafe in some parts of campus, like FSB [Farmer School of Business] for instance.”
Fetters, who is majoring in English Literature and triple minoring in anthropology, East Asian Studies and women’s gender studies, said this is only perpetuated because they are an interracial couple.
“It’s almost weirder for us in public, because people question our relationship for so many…show more content… “I'm really proud of Spectrum's growth in this regard -- our executive board for next year is over half QPOC [queer people of color] up from just one,” said Fetters. “We're working really hard to be inclusive for various marginalized identities, because it is so important to be able to find a space where you belong. Especially on a campus that may seem unfriendly or unlike you.”
Miami’s LGBTQ* student center is another space aiming to provide a safe and welcoming environment to students on campus.
Nationally, less than 10 percent of colleges and universities have a full time staff member to provide LGBTQ* resources.
For the last 18 years, Miami has sought ways to provide their students with these services.
Originally, the school sought to support queer students through an office in the student health center. Later, it moved down Spring St. to an office in McGuffey Hall which borders the edge of campus. To make the space more visible and accessible, the office now falls under a larger umbrella as part of the Office of Diversity Affairs, prompting yet another
