Gay vampire

The werewolf, Jorgas, is obsessed with him, putting Reylan and those he cares about at risk. It is perfect for a unique and engaging love story with strong LGBT representation and a historical fiction background.

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Night Weaver by Madeleine Lycka

Night Weaver by Madeleine Lycka explores the complexities of love, jealousy, and politics, all set within the fantastical realm of vampire lore.

I could personally relate to the struggles of Laura, the main character, as she grapples with her growing love for Carmilla and the fear of societal rejection. The kind of taboo, the kind of feeling of a monster within you – something that makes you different,” said Katie Armstrong, a Kent State student. 1987 was a bumper year with Joel Schumaker’s The Lost Boys and Kathryn Bigelow’s Near Dark stylising the alternative vampire covens as dangerous but enticing queer communities.

Anne Rice and pulp

Meanwhile, vampires were a staple in pulp literature.

They hate what they become, they hate what they are, they hate that part of them, and I feel like a lot of that is connected to kind of like, internalized homophobia and things like that.”

Queer vampires are not a new subject. An example is when Louis states, “I was a monster, plain and simple.

Meanwhile, bloodsucking women thrived on television: Vampira hosted a titular show from 1954-1955 and Lily Munster was the vampire housewife of The Munsters (1964–1966).

With that one joke, WWDITS committed itself to a queer inclusive story. Still, Bela Lugosi and the British Hammer horror films embraced the camp overtones necessary to slide past censors. The portrayal of the main character, Gilda, as a Black lesbian vampire, is both unique and powerful, and it made me think about my own experiences of being a minority within the LGBTQIA+ community.

The way the author has crafted the vampire mythology in this story is truly original.

Bram Stoker, a closeted gay man, was heavily influenced by Le Fanu when he wrote Dracula in 1897.

Vampires remained popular in the public consciousness of the 20th century West.

The pacing is flawless, and the imagery is evocative and rich. This is something that many members of the LGBT community, and certainly my own,  can relate to in their own lives. 

Carmilla and Laura is a beautifully written and engaging retelling of the classic vampire novella that will leave a lasting impression on readers.

They can be predatory or tragic, craving human flesh in forbidden ways. Vampire stories are traditionally rife with dark desires and invisible secrets from their early canonisation in popular culture. The relationship between Stella and Elizabeth is not overtly sexual, but it is steeped in longing and unrequited desire.

They are androgynous creatures of the night. In the first episode, an elder vampire known as The Baron is introduced by both Nadja and Laslow who had separate affairs with him. The chemistry between Carmilla and Laura is electric, and their romance is written with skill and sensitivity. Additionally, Audible offers a membership program that gives members access to a certain number of audiobooks per month, making it a cost-effective option for avid listeners. 

A great resource for people who want to maximize their time and make the most out of their daily activities.

The characters, especially Lucia West, are well-developed and relatable, making the story all the more engaging. Lycka’s writing is masterful, and it is clear that she is a talent to be reckoned with. 

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The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gómez

As a gay person, I found this novel to be an incredibly compelling read.

These feel-good, cisgender digestible pieces are rampant and make up the majority of supposed representation. Instead, representing the implicit intimacy between the vampires allows the show to explore deeper, thornier problems around public appearances, interracial relationships, and destructive codependency.

Read more: Heartstopper depicts queer joy - here's why that can bring about complicated feelings for those in the LGBTIQ community

Queer representation in mainstream media is owed to the hard-won campaigns for public acceptance.