Aging Trash

AD Host: Is there anything, Rolin, that you could share with us about where you would like to take these characters?

But it has never been text. Her relationship with her gender is COMPLICATED for reasons that seem both internal and external, but it IS canon that she sometimes presents more feminine when she's with Lestat.

But this idea that she starts solely presenting as masc after becoming a vampire isn't true. She's still wearing gowns in the coven in Auvergne in modern day!

So far, the GLIMPSES we've seen of her aren't conflicting with her character in the books.

Gabrielle de Lioncourt is someone with a complicated relationship to gender written by someone with a complicated relationship to gender, which also guides a lot of interpretations. Anne Rice, herself, was pretty feminine presenting, but she often spoke about feelings of gender non-conformity. This is also a valid interpretation. And yes, I do think gnc people who don't fit neatly into one box or another also deserve representation.

So, out of curiosity, if I, a nonbinary AFAB person, said, "I'm not a woman."

Would y'all believe me? Would I have to bind my breasts for you to believe me? Would I have to cut my hair shorter? Would I have to wear men's clothing exclusively? Go on T? What exactly would I have to do after flat out telling you that I'm not a woman to be considered even gender nonconforming, much less nonbinary?

What counts as gender nonconforming in the 18th century? What counts for a monster?

This is a hugely important scene for Gabriella that puts a lot of her decisions and actions into context in a way that's uncomfortable to explore because for her specifically, her gender nonconformity is tied to her abuse of her son.

And then she leaves Lestat and cuts all her hair off, and leaves her dress and jewels behind.

Remember how canonically Gabrielle de Lioncourt would feminize herself for Lestat's benefit in the books?

Which is what we've seen gradually happen since the first episode. I think a lot of people missed that part because they thought a pantsuit and a bob was hyperfemme, but she is dressing more and more femininely as she manipulates Lestat further.

You might not like that in this adaptation Gabriella is explored as abusive of Lestat, but pretending that they're not paying attention to book canon at all in regards to her is disingenuous. The gender nonconformity is there, and there's room for interpretation for more. A lot of ripple effects are happening because of other changes, and some changes are decisively being made to her character, but she's definitely inspired by the books.