The Gay Agenda in Horror: Terrifying Subtext

UPDATED: Tue, Jun 30, 10:11AMThe horror genre is based on our fears of the unknown, fear of “outsiders,” and the attraction and repulsion of giving in to transgressions and forbidden passions. These elements have also been associated with the LGBTQ community mostly in a negative sense. All the way back to horror stories of the late 1800's, Dracula, Dorian Gray, and more, the subtext of gay and lesbian characters and themes was unspoken, hinted at, or inferred. But in the last few decades subtext has become “text.” In novels from Anne Rice and others, to films and TV shows like The Hunger, True Blood, Hellbent, and American Horror Story, the queer side of horror has come out into the light. Join Prism Comics and moderator Michael Varrati (Tales of Poe, Sins of Dracula) as they discuss the history of this popular genre from a queer perspective. Panelists will include Mark Bessenger (Bite Marks, The Last Straight Man), M.A. Fortin (The Final Girls), Andy Mangels (Nightmares on Elm Street, Childs Play, Star Trek, Star Wars Comics), Bart Mastronardi (Tales of Poe, Vindication), Joshua Miller (The Final Girls) and Mark Patton (star of Nightmare of Elm Street Part 2).