Our Favorite Queer Horror Movie Iconic Characters & Why

October 30, 2024
ALEXANDER

Our Favorite Queer Horror Movie Iconic Characters & Why

Have the gays made Halloween great again? With our elaborate and sexy costumes, our big costume parades, and mega holiday parties, we kind of own this thing. And now, little by little, we are getting our due representation in the horror movie genre. Now, we've always been represented but often subtly to get past movie censors. But when we look back, we can see shades of gay everywhere! This spooky season, we are gonna look at some of our favorite iconic queer horror movie characters and though some are not officially queer, they are fabulous and queer-adjacent.

Elvira

The woman behind the persona, Cassandra Peterson, came out publicly in her memoir in 2021. But she has been giving us queer energy and fabulosity since day one. Early on, she was interested in horror movie toys over Barbies. Little fun fact, she dances as a drag queen go-go dancer at a gay club in Colorado. Her films and appearances have been so deliciously over the top, she gives us John Waters vibes and some good dick jokes. We either want to be her or hang out with her. Welcome to the family, Cassandra!

The Babadook

How in the world did the Babadook become a queer horror movie icon? His queerness started as a bunch of internet memes that went viral. Someone slapped the Pride flag behind him and poof, he became part of the queer family. His top hat an dapper outfit just add to that image. It just does to show you the power of social media. The filmmaker behind the character has embraced his becoming a gay legend.

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Baby Jane

What is more camp and gay than Bette Davis in full makeup as Baby Jane in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Her obsession with the past, her tumultuous relationship with her sister, and her delusional grasp on the present, along with croaking out a show tune remind us of more than a few gays in our circle.

Carrie White

Ok, go with us on this one. How many of us have been bullied growing up for being who we are? We haven't gone to such lengths like burning down a school at prom, but we've all had our fantasies of getting back. That, with her crazy religious mom, takes some of us back to the queer closet. And we've all wanted to move things with our minds...like that vodka soda closer. Is she the villain of the movie? That is debatable. We stan with you, Carrie White!

Frank-N-Furter

Some of the queer themes in Rocky Horror Picture Show have become a bit problematic, but the film has become more than a cult classic. There are some truly gay parts to this film and Tim Curry is irreplaceable as Frank-N-Furter. How many times have we sung "Sweet Tranvestite" at karaoke? Going to see this movie at a midnight showing was a right of passage for many of our community. This film dealt with sexual and gender fluidity at at time when it wasn't really celebrated.

M3gan

M3gan is one of the latest to join our list of queerish icons. She's sassy, she gets what she wants, and she knows how to dance. Remember how viral her dance moment went? Tell us one gay who didn't imitate her on the dancefloor at some point. You go, girl! And her outfit is fab!

Pennywise

While some of us are trying to grow our family and adding kids to the mix, there are still a faction of us that cringe when children run past our table at Sunday brunch while we are trying to sip our mimosas. Getting dressed up in too much makeup and loud clothes represents many of us, and then not being a fan of kids can also ring true.

Debbie Jelinsky

Morticia Addams is a given, she's our diva girl all dressed in black, all sexy and sassy. But Debbie Jelinksy deserves a mention. Played by the incomparable Joan Cusack, her monologue has become commonplace at drag shows. A money-hungry individual obsessed with fashion and furniture? Hmmm...yes, please!