Queer Life in Quarantine

In response to the particularities of the COVID-19 health crisis, the nature of social interaction and the means through which we experience connection has shifted. Some stay connected with those they live with, some meet loved ones in socially-distanced settings, while others maintain or create relationships through digital means. In a period when physical distance becomes a necessity for public health, social lives are transformed. Nonetheless, connection among our communities continues to be a source of hope and strength for many.

“I have been taking photos of my Instagram project @PlasticsInTheCity to show how we all must social distance and wear protective gear during the pandemic.” What are you drawing hope or strength from right now? “Unity, hoping that in this pandemic and times of racism and police brutality that the black community gets treated equally and the white privileged system is dismantled.” Timothy French

“Is there anything particularly queer about these images I’ve collected? On a first look, perhaps no. The thing that binds the photos together as a ‘collection’ is not a concept or practice, but a certain geography. I took them all within a small radius of my home in Downtown Brooklyn. [...] Having lived in the area for 25 years, this roving itinerary feels familiar and safe to my partner and me. Inside of this circle is where we shop, explore hidden corners, and spend countless hours walking for exercise and pleasure. The messages in the photos serve a variety of functions: to instruct, to entertain, to mobilize, to express solidarity or anger or empathy, to encourage, to provoke. What they all share, however, as signs (in the sense of both physical objects and semiotic practices) is an acknowledgement of the disruption of normal life in a time of pandemic." Gary Wickham

“I took these portraits on March 16, when my girlfriend and I both had fevers that we later learned were the onset of COVID-19. [...]  As we were directed to quarantine and begin to stay away from others, our sickness thrust us together. Our illness positioned us to rely solely on each other, feeling confined and frightened, but still in the throes of new love. These images are a study of closeness and separation, unity and remove. In these photographs, we 'have it,' the source of fear and the source of love.” Lily Olsen

What are you drawing hope or strength from right now? “My partner. Turns out we really do like spending all of our time together. My cat. Trying to stay in the present moment rather than sit in the uncertainty: making space to enjoy the slant of the afternoon light through our windows, and the extra time to read in the morning, and the reward of a glass of wine on a Friday night. The knowledge this won't last forever. Radicalization all around. Freshly-baked cookies. Biking to our friends' to drop off said cookies.” Caitlin McCarthy

“After our final staff meeting at The Center, Executive Director Glennda Testone was giving out suggestions of how we, as a staff, could stay connected via our Workplace page. One of those suggestions was to post what we were wearing during our work from home situation. This sparked a little idea in my mind to dress up in drag everyday and post the pictures for my co-workers to get a little bit of joy from, which I have dubbed 'WERK from Home.' My hope is that it brings a smile to people during this time. I love to dress up, so it has certainly brought me nothing but happiness. [...] It will keep going as long as I am working from home...or until I run out of drag clothing options.” Barry Brown