Brief History of Lesbian Authors in the Horror Genre

 

A Brief History of Lesbian Horror Writers

Introduction

Lesbian horror writers have contributed to the genre, by combining elements of fear, the supernatural, and the macabre with explorations of lesbian identity and relationships. Their work often subverts traditional horror tropes, offering fresh perspectives on both terror and sexuality.

Early Influences

Pre-20th Century

While explicit lesbian representation in horror literature was limited in earlier periods, some writers subtly incorporated themes of female desire and non-normative identities into their work.

Radclyffe Hall (1880–1943) is known for her novel "The Well of Loneliness" (1928), which, while not horror, addressed lesbian identity and relationships. Hall’s exploration of these themes set the stage for later writers to blend lesbian experiences with horror and the supernatural.

Mid-20th Century: Foundations and Innovation

1950's to 1970's

Shirley Jackson (1916–1965) is a significant figure in horror literature, though her work did not explicitly focus on lesbian themes. Her stories, including "The Haunting of Hill House" (1959) and "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" (1962), often explore themes of isolation and psychological horror, influencing later queer horror writers.

Angela Carter (1940–1992) was known for her feminist and often fantastical re-imagining of classic fairy tales and horror stories. While Carter’s work did not exclusively focus on lesbian themes, her stories frequently included subversive and queer elements that had an influence the genre’s evolution.

Late 20th Century: Establishing a Niche

1980's to 1990's

Joan Nestle (b. 1940) is primarily known for her work in memoir and queer theory, but has also contributed to horror with her exploration of lesbian relationships and desires. Her work laid a lot of the groundwork for the integration of queer themes in speculative fiction, including horror.

Catherine Lundoff (b. 1964) is an important contemporary lesbian horror writer. Her short stories and novels, including "Blood in the Rain" (2008), blend elements of horror with lesbian themes, providing a fresh perspective on both genres.

K. A. Laity (b. 1964) is known for her contributions to horror and speculative fiction. Her works, including "The Dead God’s Book" (2009), feature complex portrayals of queer characters and explore themes of terror and the supernatural within speculative contexts.

Tananarive Due (b. 1966) is a prominent figure in contemporary horror and speculative fiction. Her work, including "The Good House" (2003), explores themes of identity and history, though not explicitly focused on lesbian themes, her contributions have influenced broader horror narratives.

21st Century: Broadening Horizons

2000's to Present

Kameron Hurley (b. 1975) is a contemporary writer known for her genre-blending work, including elements of horror. Her novel "The Light Brigade" (2019) explores complex themes of identity and the supernatural, contributing to the diversity of horror fiction.

Nina Allen (b. 1983) is known for her speculative fiction and horror work, including "The Trouble With Time" (2018). Her writing often includes queer characters and explores themes of identity and existential dread.

Claire North (b. 1986) is another contemporary author whose work includes elements of horror. Her novel "The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August" (2014) blends science fiction with horror elements and features diverse representations of sexuality.

Rivers Solomon (b. 1986) is known for their speculative fiction, including "An Unkindness of Ghosts" (2017), which explores themes of identity, gender, and horror within a futuristic setting. Solomon’s work often includes queer and non-binary perspectives.

Tamsyn Muir's (b. 1985) "Locked Tomb" series combines elements of horror with science fiction and fantasy. The series, starting with "Gideon the Ninth" (2019), features a range of queer characters and explores dark, Gothic themes.

Quick Recap:

The history of lesbian horror writers is marked by their creative contributions to the genre, blending fear, the supernatural, and queer identities. Lesbian horror writers have often faced issue such as limited visibility, societal prejudice, and commercial barriers.

Despite these obstacles, their achievements have helped to expand the genre’s scope; and offer diverse portrayals of lesbian characters and relationships. The evolution from early influences to contemporary voices reflects a tentative growing acceptance and celebration of queer identities in horror literature. From early figures like Shirley Jackson and Angela Carter to contemporary voices such as Tamsyn Muir and Rivers Solomon, lesbian writers have enriched horror literature with their unique perspectives and storytelling.