“My brothers have always had my back,” Alexander said of his time in a fraternity.
LGBTQ, News, Profiles
UM alumnae attend Pride Miami Beach, reflect on an increase in visibility
Former University of Miami students who identified as LGBTQ tended to steer away from “outing” themselves. Now, they reflect on how times have changed.
LGBTQ, News
Trans activist encourages community to keep up fight in current political climate
One year ago, the United States elected its 45th president, who would advocate for various policy changes affecting transgender people in America. Two years ago, Abby Stein was an ultra-orthodox rabbi struggling with her self-identity while living a secluded life that made finding the answers to self-acceptance and understanding more challenging. Now, she is a…
Greek Life, LGBTQ, News
Greek and gay: bridging the gap
Kayle Edwards loves her sorority, Chi Omega. She also identifies as lesbian. The meeting point of her two identities – and the tension sometimes created – led her to create the LGBTQ Greek Life task force. Edwards joined a sorority as soon as she could, in her second semester of freshman year. However, she…
Cover, LGBTQ, News
LGBTQ-ally program creates mentorship opportunities for community
Former UM student Jacob Rudolph said being matched with someone who understood what he was going through was one of the best experiences of his college career. Without UM’s LGBTQ+ Mentorship Program, he would not have had that opportunity. The mentorship program pairs students with a mentor on UM’s faculty or staff. Rudolph, who graduated…
Campus Life, LGBTQ, News
Pride Week draws attention to underrepresented identities
Students in the LGBT community had cause to celebrate during this year’s Pride Awareness Week. Since 2016, the University of Miami has created gender-neutral bathrooms across campus and implemented gender-inclusive housing. Yet, divides and prejudices still remain especially within the Q+ segment of the community. SpectrUM’s annual Pride Awareness Week (PAW) includes various events aimed…
Campus Life, Community, Housing, LGBTQ, News
Gender inclusive housing offers comfort, flexibility
Along with gender-neutral restrooms and a new LGBT center, UM added another feature last fall: gender-inclusive housing in upperclassman dorms. In the gender-inclusive housing option, students are not restricted to same-gender roommates, allowing students more flexibility and comfort with their room assignments. President Julio Frenk first announced the program at his first Town Hall meeting…
LGBTQ, News
Students embrace identity during Coming Out Week
Three years ago, Tyler Katz was a freshman at UM unsure about his sexual identity. October 11, nationally recognized as Coming Out Day, came around and he was still struggling with his orientation. During that same week, SpectrUM, UM’s largest LGBT organization, was holding its Coming Out Week. It was during this time that he…
LGBTQ, News
Acclaimed medical scholar speaks about intersex community
“Sex is crazy complicated,” said visiting scholar Alice Dreger during a lecture on Friday. “They lied to you in school.” Dreger, a historian of medicine and science and renowned sex researcher, spoke to students and faculty last week at the Wesley Gallery about the past strides and future goals for the intersex community in her…
Campus Life, LGBTQ, News
LGBTQ Student Center to focus on outreach, visibility
The LGBTQ Student Center opened its doors to all UM students on Aug. 31. Prior to this, the LGBTQ Task Force was created in 2013 and the LGBTQ Implementation Committee in 2014. One year ago, in September 2015, during the Town Hall meeting with members of the UM community, President Frenk was asked several questions…
Housing, LGBTQ, News
Gender-inclusive housing step toward equality
The University of Miami opened up gender-inclusive housing for sophomores, juniors and seniors living in the University Village (UV) for the first time this semester. The LGBT community was the main proponent for this housing setup in the past because it would allow students to pick their roommates regardless of gender. The university’s LGBT community…
Campus Life, LGBTQ, News
SpectrUM’s Ally Series discusses LGBT community’s progress, issues
Students gathered in a small room in the Shalala Student Center Monday night to share what pride within the LGBT community means to them and to explore the history and different connotations that come with the word “pride.” As part of SpectrUM’s Ally Series, the discussion was focused on the topic of pride, celebrating the…