We have seen some victories in 2023 so far, and some intense losses.
I will start with the good news: the ban on queer male blood donation has ended! While PreP users will still be barred from donating blood, there will be a shift in questioning that no longer stresses homosexuality. This shift in philosophy, with origins in the first decade of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, is a big step in ending discrimination in blood donation. I want to give a big shoutout to the Saw franchise and Lionsgate for their continued efforts to end the discriminatory donation guidelines. Nearly every year when a new Saw film is released, the promotional team collaborates with the American Red Cross to promote blood donation efforts, with offers of free tickets for donors. In 2017, the franchise stepped up its activism with a promotion to end the queer blood ban by having out-queer models and personalities pose in posters proclaiming “All Types Welcome.” With Saw X set to be released this year, I hope the next blood drive is the biggest yet!
Our losses this year have mainly impacted our queer friends in the Southern states. I do not need to go into detail about the myriad setbacks caused by the far-right and, frankly, that fascist Floridian. We at HORROR PRESS are dedicated to supporting the marginalized and the oppressed. We support our fellow queers facing tremendous hardship across the United States.
This month at HORROR PRESS, we are UNAPOLOGETICALLY QUEER! We’ll kick off the month with a Queer Horror Viewing Guide from Beyza Ozer (Fear Queers/Hellmouth Homos), followed by articles from top queer horror creatives such as Brennan Klein (Screen Rant/Attack of the Queerwolf!), Michael Ahern (Death Drop Gorgeous/Saint Drogo), Brother Ghoulish, Samantha Mclaren, Michael Varrati, DeVaughn Taylor, Enola King, Justin Moritz, Tori Potenza, Stan the Mechanic, and your eternally devoted HP team!
Expect Godzilla, Ellen Ripley, Vampira, Clea DuVall, Baby Jane Hudson, cars, and rage!
We hope you enjoy the sweet, spooky content we have cooked up this month, and thank you for your continued support!
Keep it spooky,
Keep it gay,
Abigail