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Pride Month: Celebrating LGBTQ+ representation in the horror genre

By Deepak Kumar

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Laverne Cox attends the Thierry Mugler: Couturissime Exhibition Opening Night at Brooklyn Museum on November 15, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Laverne Cox attends the Thierry Mugler: Couturissime Exhibition Opening Night at Brooklyn Museum on November 15, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images) /
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During Pride Month, it’s important to acknowledge and appreciate LGBTQ+ representation in various forms of storytelling, including the spine-chilling world of horror.

Over the years, the horror genre has introduced compelling LGBTQ+ characters who have defied stereotypes, pushed boundaries and brought richness to the narratives.

From well-known figures to memorable heroes, let’s take a look at some popular LGBTQ+ characters in horror, whose stories have deeply impacted audiences and left a lasting impression on the genre.

  • Laverne Cox as The Countess in American Horror Story: Hotel: The Countess is a powerful and seductive vampire who is also a lesbian. She is one of the most popular characters in the entire American Horror Story franchise.
Billy Porter as Pray Tell in

: Pray Tell is a ball emcee and AIDS activist who is also a gay man. He is one of the most beloved characters in

Pose

, a groundbreaking TV show about the LGBTQ community in the 1980s.

LGBTQ
HOLLYWOOD, CA – JUNE 17: Actress Anna Paquin arrives at HBO’s “True Blood” final season premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on June 17, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/WireImage) /
  • Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse in True Blood: Sookie is a telepathic waitress who is also a bisexual woman. She is one of the main characters in True Blood, a popular vampire TV show.
  • Kerry Condon as David in The Strain: David is a vampire hunter who is also a gay man. He is one of the main characters in The Strain, a horror TV show about a vampire outbreak.
  • Zachary Quinto as John in Legion: John is a mutant with multiple personalities, one of which is a lesbian woman. He is one of the main characters in Legion, a critically acclaimed TV show about a superhero with dissociative identity disorder.

    • These are just a few of the many popular LGBTQ+ characters in horror. These characters are important because they provide representation for LGBTQ+ people in a genre that has often been hostile to them. They show that LGBTQ+ people can be strong, complex and heroic and they help to challenge negative stereotypes.

    In addition to these characters, there are many other LGBTQ+ characters in horror who are worth checking out. These characters are a testament to the diversity and creativity of the LGBTQ+ community and they help to make the horror genre more inclusive and welcoming.

    Next. Five queer horror classics to watch during Pride Month. dark

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