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October 13, 2003
bi-curious vampires
'Tis the season for spooky reading, and I'm currently slogging through the latest paperback from Anne Rice, Blackwood Farm. It's another novel involving her supernatural pantheon, this time about the struggles of a soon-to-be vampire and his sympathetic ghost. Blood and Gold was much better, I'll have to say, especially if you like history from a different point of view.
However, I'm kind of annoyed that it seems like almost all her witch, vampire, mummy and ghost characters are either bisexual or gay. Now come on, there have got to be some straight vampires out there, right? Seems like Madame Rice has gotten all PFLAG lately with her son being queer. Or is she trying to say that alternative sexuality is another one of the corporate benefits of entry into undeath? Although it seems the Kinsey scale swings strongly to the queer side of things for those touched by the Twilight Zone, you won't be seeing me go goth anytime soon.
Anyhow, the novel kind of goes on and on, and is of interest only to those very familiar with most of her past novels, as it references so many of them even I have a hard time keeping up with the Mayfairs.
Posted by jimbo at October 13, 2003 8:14 PM
Comments
Vampirism is transgressive sexuality, a purely heterosexual vampire is an empty symbol, much like a loving witch. The enlarged teeth of a vampire, like the nose and fingers of a witch, are phallic, and whomever their teeth penetrate are being penetrated by male sexuality. IMHO
Posted by: Dan at October 12, 2003 10:00 PM
Anne Rice has been writing about characters with various sexualities way before her son was even old enough to come out. although it makes you wonder about things huh.
I agree with Dan's post about Vampires and the symbolism.I like to add that its also (in regards to Vampires) they symbolize what most of us want, Eternal youth, Heighten senses and almost perfect invulnerability and strength.There is also something about the darkness that attracts most of us to it. Vampires are dark, yet beautiful.
And though it seems that many of us "Goths" are leaning towards the Gay side of the scale, I can from my experience say that it is pretty much an equal mixture of Homosexual, Bisexual and Heterosexual. Its just a tad confusing since we wear black all the time. :-)
Posted by: Dax at October 13, 2003 1:09 AM
I like Count Chocula
Posted by: GURL at October 13, 2003 11:26 AM
Personally if I had 100+ years -> eternity of unlife I would want OPTIONS.
Posted by: kiri at October 13, 2003 2:53 PM
I've always been partial to Frankenberry...and yes, options are good....
Posted by: jeff at October 13, 2003 8:35 PM
plus how could we not mention our favorite - you know the one we all know and love - le sigh le buffy....
most of dem vamps were straighter than straight with the exception of one miss slutty scamp dru.
also, ms rice, lest us not forget - aka ms roquelaure, has always demonstrated her perversaties - though i havent read anything later than tale of a book thief to see if she's slid any further. i think she's said all along in interviews and the like that she sees people as being generally pansexual and expresses this view in her writing. i could be projecting however.
there is always the new orleans melting your brain theory ...
which might also explain poppy z. brite's omnipotent vampqueers as well.
Posted by: kiri at October 13, 2003 10:19 PM