Anne Rice & the Queer Christian

Anne Rice, legendary author of works ranging from Christian literature to erotic fiction, died this Saturday at the age of 80. Her son, Christopher, shared the news on social media that his mother died due to complications from a stroke.

Growing up as a closeted queer kid with strong evangelical roots, I had to hide her books, reading them in secret. The dark sensuality and complex portrayal of gender opened my mind to the possibilities that had been denied me, while leaving me terrified I would be caught reading this forbidden material.

When she released her first of two novelizations of the life of Jesus- “Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt” (2005)- I was still largely denying my sexuality. I was thrilled that her masterful storytelling, together with the deep scholarship she brought to the material, would open a door for me to introduce her to my Christian circles. To that end I reached out to Anne and had the rare privilege of correspond with her about faith and writing. As a Christian writer myself, she encouraged me towards excellence:

“Make it as good as you can make it. Being a Christian is no excuse for making mediocre or sentimental art. We don’t need another mediocre book on any subject.”