Bernay, RossGaerlan, EuniceIngram, ToniLopez, JessThomas Cameron, Yael2026-01-192026-01-192025-11-07Lighting the Academy: Biennial National Rainbow Research Symposium. November 7, 2025. Auckland University of Technology, Aucklandhttp://hdl.handle.net/10292/20516This paper is drawn from the STEDI study that points to student teachers experiences of discrimination and inclusion. In this paper we point to: the social economies that assure happiness on practicum and how this same space can become one of disavowal and foreclosure for queer student teachers, and the need for initial teacher education provider to offer better support and preparation for queer student teachers.Open Access.3901 Curriculum and pedagogy390307 Teacher education and professional development of educators390412 Teacher and student wellbeing440501 Feminist and queer theoryQueer student teachersHappy objectsHeteronormativityQueer affectTeacher educationConference contributionOpenAccess