The Empowering Legacy of Queer Folklore: Mermaids, Unicorns, and More

As a child, Sacha Coward would often find comfort in watching The Little Mermaid before heading off to school. At that tender age, he didn’t fully grasp why the tale resonated with him so deeply. Later, he would come to learn that the original fairytale, penned by the bisexual Hans Christian Andersen, was a poignant narrative of unrequited love after Andersen’s male crush married a woman.

Sacha's fascination with mythical stories grew over time, leading him to a career in museums where he indulged in the rich tapestry of legends and folklore. During the isolation of pandemic lockdowns, this interest burgeoned into a passion. "Some people baked banana bread. Others, like me, delved into the connections between LGBTQ+ identities, mythology, and folklore," he shares.

Out of this exploration came his book, Queer As Folklore: The Hidden Queer History of Myths and Monsters. In it, Coward uncovers the queer narratives interwoven with legendary creatures like mermaids, unicorns, werewolves, and witches. "The bedtime stories we cherished often hid characters inspired by lives akin to those of today’s LGBTQ+ community," he explains. "To understand queer identity today, one must venture into the fantastical tales of our past."

The Power of Subversion in Queer Storytelling

In his book, Coward argues that modern interpretations of ancient tales often sanitize the narratives, erasing queer elements that once thrived. "Across cultures, from Africa to China, and ancient texts from The Epic of Gilgamesh to The Iliad, queer themes abound," he notes. He encourages a reconnection with this heritage as a source of empowerment, even as these stories are weaponized against the queer community by conservative factions.

In a candid interview, Coward elaborates on the hidden visibility of queerness throughout history. "The term 'queer' itself implies something twisted or contorted, yet it possesses a unique strength," he observes. This inherent duality, much like many mythical creatures, offers both danger and allure.

While reclaiming historical figures as queer, such as Tchaikovsky, enriches our understanding of social history, recognizing the queerness in mythological creatures reclaims ownership of narratives often deemed deviant. "These stories are not borrowed; they are our heritage. Whether or not our ancestors wrote them, they belong to us," Coward asserts.

Folklore: A Reflection of Diverse Narratives

Coward's expansive view of folklore includes modern pop culture elements, insisting that storytelling should not be confined to dusty manuscripts curated by select academics. "Folklore is the people’s stories," he says, advocating for a richer tapestry of human expression beyond traditional boundaries.

Queer fans often find solace in horror villains, embracing these misunderstood characters. "Feeling like a societal 'bad guy' aligns us with these creatures," Coward explains. This connection allows queer individuals to explore both their darkness and light, finding strength in narratives once used to marginalize them.

Monsters, Misfits, and Meaning

In the current cultural climate, conservative rhetoric often weaponizes folklore against the queer community. Stories of "furries" and demonic allegations echo historical patterns of demonization. Despite this, Coward sees potential for dialogue in shared loves of storytelling, even if beliefs differ.

"Meeting in stories can be healing," he suggests. By engaging with the narratives that captivate us, understanding can bridge cultural divides.

For Coward, the magic of queerness lies in its authenticity. "Queer people consistently produce art that everyone loves because it’s genuine," he affirms. "Our outside perspective allows us to challenge norms, offering insights that enrich society as a whole."

As Coward continues to explore new territories in his forthcoming book on video games, his message remains clear: Embracing our queer heritage allows for a fuller, more nuanced understanding of both ourselves and the world around us.