She is amused when he dances. He is attracted to her intelligence and ability to hold a conversation.
The fact that Anita Boyer is Mexican-American and Doug Peterson is white isn't an issue for either.
I don't think it's any more a thing in our relationship than our height difference
Peterson said.
Over the decades, the traditional view of the interracial relationship has moved beyond black and white to include people of many backgrounds and sexual orientations. Years ago, people such as Boyer and Peterson might have met resistance because of their races, but they said most people at Ohio University are tolerant.
This attitude is shared beyond a college environment, said Judith Grant, a political science professor and director of the women's studies program at OU.
In the 1960s and 1970s, identities were so racially conscious that many people opposed interracial dating and marriage because they feared biracial children wouldn't have an identity, Grant said. The Civil Rights Movement and the desegregation of the public led to more acceptance.
Undoubtedly there is even more tolerance of friendships across races Grant said.
That has also extended to dating.
Anita and Doug
Boyer, 19, is a Templeton scholar, one of a group of minority students who have earned a scholarship covering tuition, books and room and board. At OU, where 88.9 percent of students were white in 2005, the program allows her to interact and live with other minorities.
Peterson and Boyer agree that unfamiliarity, not ill will, is to blame for a lack of racial interaction on campus.
When a program is geared toward a specific group, people not in that group won't interact as much with the people who are, said Peterson, who is from Hudson.
Boyer echoed this statement, saying she met mostly minority students during summer Templeton programs.
There's a lot of pressure to keep within the racial community she said.
Since they've been together, Peterson, 21, said he has met more students of different races and has become engaged in debates about minority scholarships and affirmative action.
I definitely interact with more minority students than I would have if I wasn't dating Anita
he said.
Evan and Charlie
They say you can't buy love, but Charlie Pennix paid $40 for his first date with Evan Robinson. Nine months later, they're still together.
At an Ally date auction last year, Pennix bid on Robinson, whom he later learned had been eyeing him for months.
I was dumbfounded
said Robinson, 19. He was attracted to Pennix, 21, after seeing him reading in the library.
The couple, who share their clothes and enjoy working out together, said they are best friends.
Being in a gay, interracial relationship can draw stares and comments from strangers, the couple said.
People look three times instead of twice
said Pennix, who is white.
Although his mom has no problem with his relationship, Pennix said his dad has been less open and fears others' reactions.
I think the gay thing was hard enough for him
and then the black thing just kind of freaked him out
Pennix said.
Pennix, who is from Morrow, had never had black friends until he met Robinson, who is from Columbus.
I didn't know any black people
so I didn't talk to any
he said.
Robinson's Southern Baptist family was accepting of his dating a white person but was upset that he was dating a man.
I was the good son and did everything right
but when I came out
