Why Kweeny Supports WiHM

For the last two years I have been a strong supporter of WiHM. You can look back on some of my posts in my tags, but this year I only have this post as an offering to the month. Because despite the things in my life that have made it hard for me to keep up with the blog (like my laptop getting stolen) I can at least offer this one piece of writing that is very much from the heart.

I support Women In Horror Month.

I don't care if people think it's just a bunch of famous chicks patting each other on the back, or if they think there is no need for such an event because they can't see the oppression, or whatever other bullshit I have heard people say about it. Sure, have your opinions. You are entitled to them. But my reasons for supporting the cause are none of these things.

 I'm not famous, or super good looking, or anything but a struggling artist. I do what I do for the love of genre. I am a woman (though I identify more as gender queer) and have been raped, humiliated, beaten and nearly killed just because I am so. I have personally witnessed sexism in the different circles I run in, such as among horror writers, directors and hell, even among bloggers. I delete comments at least once a month from some anonymous asshats who think it's funny to make sexual remarks at me and to tell me I should be raped just because I am female. OR that I'm so sexy, he or she should fuck the shit out of me. Especially when I work really hard on a post, as if to discredit me and my work because damn it, I have breasts.They do this to push my voice down. It doesn't work of course. I have been through far worse.

So I don't support WiHM to get attention or anything like that. I'll get attention whether I want it or not. 

I do it because I love this genre, work hard to be a part of this community, and breasts or not, I belong here. I don't just wear gothy clothes, buy horror merch or any of that shit. In a world where I am bombarded with images of final girls who are slaughtered like cattle, I have examples of people in the horror community making work for the genre that breaks those illusions. This event makes a difference, even in a small way. Because it's not just horror that has this problem. But we can start trying to change things by starting within our communities.

I am a horror fan. This is a huge part of my life.

Horror helped shape me. Gave me a place to explore and expel darkness that lurks inside me. And despite some shitiness from people on the internet, I have found I have a strong community of awesome folks who get why I would like horror at all.These people, and yes many are women, help me to feel connected in a world that makes connection difficult and tells me who and what I can love.

This month is for all the dark dreamers, the final girls, the monster ladies in the mist of a change, and the strong females who take matters into their own hands. Under the skin we are all creatures of the night. And we make the sweetest music when you let us.