An affinity space is a place and time for people who share a common identity to come together to share experiences, connection, and conversation. At HMI, we hold weekly affinity spaces for students of color, and for students who identify as queer or questioning in regards to their gender identity and/or sexuality. Each affinity space has a faculty mentor and is open to any student who wants to opt in based on their self-identification. Affinity Spaces are different than clubs or interest groups (which can be started by students at any time throughout the semester) because they are centered around shared identities that have been traditionally marginalized. Students who do not share an identity associated with an established Affinity Space on campus are encouraged to be allies for those students who do.
Hikers of Hue Affinity Space
It is with great humility that I, alongside my associate and former HMI employee, Garry Schlag, helped establish the People of Color affinity space at HMI. We knew it was necessary to create this space because, as a school, we operate in a predominately white space. I only realized that affinity spaces existed once a student approached me—this happened during my first semester working at HMI in Fall 2019—and inquired if a People of Color affinity space was possible.
Since it became apparent that we needed this affinity space on campus, we’ve held a People of Color affinity space for semester students on a weekly basis. After a year of facilitating the affinity space, Semester 45 students wanted a unique and fitting name—that is when the name “Hikers of Hue” came to fruition.
Hikers of Hue represents a space of grief, a moment of healing, and a time to celebrate. Through this space, we have the opportunity to feel our authentic selves and not have the pressure to prove anything to anyone. Often we are the representation; we experience imposter syndrome. But in Hikers of Hue, we feel we belong.
We know we have different racial and cultural experiences; therefore, Hikers of Hue is a beautiful space where we celebrate our identities. Through this space, we get to share stories and not explain the trauma behind said stories. We get to just be.
I am glad to be part of a space where we get to process and make HMI feel like home.
Q² Affinity Space
As an apprentice in Semester 46, Q² was the first affinity space I had ever attended. It was impactful for me to find queer community amongst students and fellow adults. I felt safe, understood, and free to let go of the burden of labels to be my most authentic, whole self.
As a space that feels special to my journey and my experience supporting students, I am honored to lead Q² at HMI this year. Q² stands for Queer and Questioning and is an affinity space open to students who identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or are questioning any part of their gender identity or sexual orientation. The space was initially designed by students in Semester 40, and HMI now holds space for Q² every semester.
Though many schools have affinity spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community, HMI offers a unique opportunity for students to explore their identities. With our “clean slate” community norm and a new space away from sending schools and familiar faces, students can explore and celebrate their identities with more confidentiality and fewer preconceived ideas of who they are or should be.
Q² offers a powerful space to explore our own identity. Sometimes, labeling our identities can feel like a meaningful way to communicate who we are to other people (often those outside of the LGBTQ+ community). In Q², we show up as ourselves without any pressure to name who we are–it only matters that we gather in Stuen each week together to share laughter, Oreos, and thoughtful conversation.
This allows us not only to explore ourselves more deeply beyond the limitations of labels but also can lead us to find or try on new labels and identities that feel more affirming and true to who we are.
As a student from semester 49 said, “I am forever grateful for Q² as it gave me a safe community of people to love, laugh and talk with. Q² allowed me to feel secure within myself and my identity for the first time in my life.” Q² is a space where we celebrate our identities and learn from each other. It is a space that transforms students’ lives–and our whole community–each semester.
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2023 HMI Newsletter.