Brief biographies of some of the writers, actors and directors whose work has helped shape queer horror, focusing on their most relevant contributions.

Brite, Poppy Z. (1967- )
Poppy Z. Brite's stories typically focus on young, vampire-like men in New Orleans, featuring plenty of gay sex, transgendered characters and sadomasochism. Her novels to date are Lost Souls, Drawing Blood, Exquisite Corpse and The Lazarus Heart. She has also published many short stories and a biography of Courtney Love.

Geoffreys, Steven (1964- )
Actor Steven Geoffreys starred as "Evil Ed Thompson" in 1985's Fright Night, and the Carrie-like tortured teen "Hoax" in 976-EVIL (1988). Bringing a certain sexual ambiguity to both roles, particularly the former, he gives each film a notable 'gay edge'. After these and a few other minor parts, he left Hollywood and has since made a career in gay porn.

Whale, James (1893-1957)
Director James Whale made four of Universal Studios' most influential (and queer) horror films, Frankenstein (1931), The Old Dark House (1932), The Invisible Man (1933) and Bride Of Frankenstein (1935). One of the few out gay men in early Hollywood, he encouraged several gay friends to appear in his films, and was the first director to invest sympathy in the plight of Frankenstein's monster. After a career slump in the 40s, he retired from filmmaking but continued his lifestyle of wild partying, before finally committing suicide. His later life was portrayed by Ian McKellen in the film Gods And Monsters (1998).