Abstract

Lockdown, caused by the spread of COVID-19, drastically impacted the everyday life of most people. However, lockdown did not affect all people equally. In fact, this period was a unique experience for those coming to terms with their own queerness and queer identity. According to Gallup Polls, 7.1% of individuals in the United States identified as LGBT in 2021, a 1.5% jump from the previous year and a 42% total percentage increase since polls started in 2012 (Jones 2022). The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences and factors that contributed to five individuals coming to terms with their queerness during this specific period, as well as what their experiences can say about the nature of the self. The etymology of the word queer, mental health impacts of COVID-19 on queer people, performativity regarding gender and online spaces, and theories of coming out are explored to provide a background and framework through which to contextualize the interviews, analysis, and my argument. Utilizing feminist qualitative research methods that center lived experiences as valuable, standpoint theory, and reflective equilibrium I interview five individuals who came to terms with their queerness over lockdown to explore these two questions. From these interviews, I learned that these individuals came to recognize their queer identity due to, but not limited to, a combination of imposed self-reflection, the “looping effect” of classifications, extra time, and increased perceptions of safety/anonymity. Additionally, I conclude that a social constructivist theory of the self best maps onto the lived experiences of the interviewees at least insofar as these were reported to me for two reasons. First, a social constructivist account makes sense of the dynamic nature of growth and discovery via discursive construction. Moreover, this account gives room for changes and fluctuations in who we are, which was an apparent phenomenon in my interviews. Fundamentally, this study highlights the unique experience of queer individuals during lockdown and the importance of centering and valuing queer lives in research and theory making.

Advisor

Riley, Evan

Second Advisor

Lee, Sina

Department

Philosophy; Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies

Keywords

COVID, pandemic, queerness, lockdown, gay, LGBTQ+

Publication Date

2023

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2023 Veda Christine Massanari-Thatcher