The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Coming out in the year of staying in

I never felt like I could claim the label ‘queer.’ Quarantine gave me the opportunity.

Perspective by
Lily contributor
July 25, 2021 at 10:16 a.m. EDT
(Lara Antal for The Washington Post)

The pandemic brought grief and change for everyone. For me, the painful loss of a relationship became an opportunity to claim part of my identity I had suppressed.