Justin: Perspective and caution...
Introduction:
Justin is a 45 year-old gay male living in Bloomfield, New Jersey. As a teacher, the most interesting and unique change that the Covid-19 pandemic has wrought on his life is the experience of working from home, which has challenged his ability to self-motivate. While Justin does sometimes feel isolated, he also describes himself as a homebody who doesn't find such isolation to be a particularly big deal. Some family losses have darkened his year, but Justin maintains perspective, expressing gratitude for his job and financial security. As for his sex life, Justin feels that the pandemic has added an extra layer of caution to the process of seeking out prospective partners. He has prioritized encounters with people he already knows, and deprioritized no-strings-attached encounters. As to the sexual experiences themselves, they have become less frequent, and Justin admits to shying away from kissing because of the pandemic. While browsing online platforms, Justin has noticed that many people have been communicating their pandemic related sexual boundaries more clearly on their public profiles. He respects those boundaries, as he has his own.
Notable Quotes:
HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOUR LIFE IN GENERAL?
“I think working at home has been the most interesting and unique change. I've never done it before, so it's different trying to get motivated in the house like that. It's sort of isolating, but I'm sort of a homebody on my own, so I don't think that's such a big deal, but it is a little bit odd. And then, of course, you know, there are a couple of family losses and stuff like that have sort of brought the whole thing down, as well. But, you know, overall, you just make due, and it's fine, I'm doing just fine. I have a job, I can pay my bills, a place to live, so I'm okay.”
HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOUR SEX LIFE?
“I think, for the most part, it's just added a layer of caution to everything... ...and sort of be more cautious with, you know, no-strings-attached relationships. So, I definitely think, it makes you second guess. Do I really want to do this? Do I have to do this? Is there a better alternative? How can I stay away.”
“It's more infrequent. And I also think, like, you know, at least for me, I have one friend that I see from time to time, and I sort of limit it to that. More or less, I try and limit it to that type of relationship where you know where someone's been, and you know that they're in isolation, you know that their not, you know, whatever.”
HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOUR SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS, THEMSELVES?
“Um, yeh, I mean I think to some extent. I think, you know, if I were to be with someone in one way or another, I would definitely shy away from anything having to do with kissing, or stuff like that.”