How is Queer representation explored in the American horror genre with a specific examination of Ryan Murphy’s AHS?
Anna Bant, BA (Hons) Film, TV & Theatre Graduate, 2022

​​​How is Queer representation explored in the American horror genre with a specific examination of Ryan Murphy’s AHS?

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Bant's dissertation focuses on how film and TV can influence audiences’ views on queer representation. Throughout this dissertation Bant discusses the growing awareness of representation trends and tropes surrounded around the definition of queer, as well as the growing number of representations of queer characters in the media.

In this text Bant notes on the historical context behind queerness, with specific reference to a queer lens, the impact, growth and development of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, The Hays Code regulations and the impact of the AIDS Pandemic. As well as reference to theorists Eve Sedgwick, Judith Butler and Nate Izzo, with their ideologies of queer representation in horror films. In contrast with Shon Faye and Susan Stryker new understandings of the trans community.

The dissertation synthesizes various queer and gender studies that challenge mainstream narratives. The research within provides an insight into the queer representation in American Horror Story created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. As well as many references to popular cinema, that contains representation of the queer community.

Read Time (Approx.): 32 minutes

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Anna Bant

BA (Hons) Film, TV & Theatre Production Graduate 2022 ​