Out of the Closet and into Quarantine: Stories of Isolation and Teaching

Being queer can be filled with moments of isolation: not fitting in to heteronormative rites passage, knowing if or when come out academia, and now, trying cope the difficulties induced by officially-mandated social distancing a global pandemic. Although isolation is common human experience, for people it often an intimate part their stories, leaving lasting scars. Experiences isolation, loneliness, being “othered” have serious consequences. Through autoethnographic inquiry, we explore how shapes teaching learning. Drawing on concepts outsider-within uncanny, distinguishing from loneliness solitude, share our personal stories through perspective performative “I”, examining pedagogical philosophies practices inevitably reflect experiences. Coming different disciplines practice, met because COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted this return old new forms isolation—the experience growing up online. From perspectives across generational divide, trace unsettling experiences COVID bubbles, attempt navigate ourselves students safely disconnection isolation.