Over the last few weeks during another UK lock down I've noticed quite a few memes popping up on horror groups, that are very similar in nature, and are all examples of gatekeeping in the online horror community.
Things like "if you don't know who this is you aren't a true horror fan" or "if you don't like this film you're not really into horror" etc.
As well as not being at all funny, they are entirely obnoxious and elitist, saying far more about the person posting than the person that maybe doesn't know the character, or doesn't like the film.
This form of gatekeeping can be very off putting to someone maybe just getting into horror, and looking into joining the community online. Someone that could have potentially made great online friendships and contributed to insightful genre based conversation, turned away because of a slew of memes telling them why they aren't a "real fan".
Whether you're only into modern paranormal films, or family friendly horror, or if you only like to read horror and not watch it, you are a horror fan. What defines you as a horror fan is personal to you, and if you enjoy any of the spooky jazz that makes up the vastness of the horror genre, you can quite comfortably call yourself a horror fan, without having to know the name of the personal assistant to the actor that was killed third in the eighth Friday the 13th film! Some people really enjoy getting into minute details about things, and others enjoy the exact same things just as much without ever knowing certain facts.
I've been a horror fan for a long time, and some of these gatekeeping memes specifically attack my own tastes making out that I'm not a true fan. I have spent years collecting, watching, talking about and loving horror, and I'm not being told I'm not a fan because I don't like the Shining, and you shouldn't either, whether you're just getting into the genre or whether you've been enjoying it for a long time. Enjoy what you enjoy unapologetically, and find others who can share that joy with you!
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