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Queer Hauntings: True Tales of Gay & Lesbian Ghosts
Queer Hauntings is a handbook of eerie locales worldwide with a queer bent, combining historical fact and unearthly encounters from across the United States, as well as around the globe. From haunted bars in New Orleans to a haunted theater in London, this guide encompasses the other side of the supernatural. The true stories range from the serious, from brutal murders in rural Georgia, to the light-hearted, including the male spirit who enjoys unzipping men's trousers at a British pub. Ghosts of legendary celebrities intermingle with ordinary individuals.Along with these queer spirits are many businesses, either gay-owned or catering to a gay/lesbian clientele, experiencing hauntings. Clubs and bars hide more than shy young lovers in their darkened corners. Countless bed and breakfasts have otherworldly guests staying the night. Behind the shadows and doors of societal homophobia hide find pink phantoms and lavender apparitions in cities and towns spread across the globe.
196 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2009
18 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Ken Summers
4 books19 followersKen Summers is a paranormal researcher, historian, collector, and writer. His paranormal pursuits have been featured in Edge New York, The Akron Beacon Journal, Cleveland Scene Magazine, Them!, and various other media outlets along with several local news channels. He currently resides in northeast Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 15, 2017
One of the best haunting books I've ever read. A nice mix of history and haunting with a queer eye.
January 24, 2020
This is a travelogue for those interested in ghostly establishments, historical figures, and queer history. I quickly made travel plans for at least five of these places, after reading this book. Mainly hotels and bars in the US and the UK are mentioned. Tons of places in England, California and Provincetown are. Content warning for this book: a -lot- of people were killed in hate crimes, and while the descriptions could have easily been more graphic, it's still upsetting to read. The book does become repetitive in some ways, but I expected it. All the ghosts and establishments are described in a way that sympathy comes easy, and this book isn't creepy at all. In a 'blink and you miss it' paragraph, the author describes Satanism factually, kindly and without judgment. That made a good impression on me. I thought the book was put together well and well-researched. I'm glad it was written and I got to read it.
December 24, 2022
Behind many hauntings is a history of drama, passion, and often tragedy. Big events and strong emotions that anchor the souls of the dead to the mortal realm. For many ghost-hunters, chronicling the stories of who their spectral subjects were in life is even more fascinating than the hauntings themselves. But as author Ken Summers points out in his introduction to this book, nearly all of these backstories deal with straight- or at least, perceived straight- individuals. “Where were the gay, lesbian, and bisexual entities in paranormal literature?” he asks.
“Queer Hauntings” is Summer’s effort to document these overlooked or forgotten ghostly manifestations. The book is as a survey of locations, such as historical gay bars or the abodes of famous queer people, where supernatural happenings have been reported.. Many of the ghosts have fascinating histories, such as Timber Kate, a sex worker in the Old West who performed regularly on-stage with her partner Bella Rawhide. Or James Whale the director of Frankenstein and other Universal horror movies who began life as a quiet, sensitive artistic kid in an English mining town.
Like many ghost stories, there is great tragedy too, such as the robbery and murder of Bill Neville, whose spirit allegedly still dwells in the theater he loved so much in life. Or Lizzie Borden’s lonely, reclusive life which was punctuated by a brief romance with a married woman.
Though the book primarily focuses on hauntings in the US, Summers also highlights a few queer ghosts form the United Kingdom, such as Piers Gaveston, the intimate companion of King Edward II whose ghost plays tricks on visitors to Scarborough Castle.
Some of the queer implications for the ghosts may seem slight because in life many of these people had to hide their bi- or homosexuality from the public, so researchers can only get hints and inferences- such as folks who had especially close and intimate “friends” of the same sex. And like many alleged real-life hauntings, the evidence in these cases can be very slight- a few phantom footsteps heard in the early morning or a dark, wispy figure walking down a corridor. But regardless of the veracity of these supernatural occurrences, they add an important queer element to the literature of hauntings.
“Queer Hauntings” is Summer’s effort to document these overlooked or forgotten ghostly manifestations. The book is as a survey of locations, such as historical gay bars or the abodes of famous queer people, where supernatural happenings have been reported.. Many of the ghosts have fascinating histories, such as Timber Kate, a sex worker in the Old West who performed regularly on-stage with her partner Bella Rawhide. Or James Whale the director of Frankenstein and other Universal horror movies who began life as a quiet, sensitive artistic kid in an English mining town.
Like many ghost stories, there is great tragedy too, such as the robbery and murder of Bill Neville, whose spirit allegedly still dwells in the theater he loved so much in life. Or Lizzie Borden’s lonely, reclusive life which was punctuated by a brief romance with a married woman.
Though the book primarily focuses on hauntings in the US, Summers also highlights a few queer ghosts form the United Kingdom, such as Piers Gaveston, the intimate companion of King Edward II whose ghost plays tricks on visitors to Scarborough Castle.
Some of the queer implications for the ghosts may seem slight because in life many of these people had to hide their bi- or homosexuality from the public, so researchers can only get hints and inferences- such as folks who had especially close and intimate “friends” of the same sex. And like many alleged real-life hauntings, the evidence in these cases can be very slight- a few phantom footsteps heard in the early morning or a dark, wispy figure walking down a corridor. But regardless of the veracity of these supernatural occurrences, they add an important queer element to the literature of hauntings.
March 21, 2026
I recently finished Queer Hauntings by Ken Summers, and although it’s a relatively short read, it left a lasting impression on me. The book is a collection of ghost stories centred on individuals who were either confirmed or rumoured to be part of the LGBTQ+ community, and as someone who is trans and queer myself, I found it especially meaningful to see these lives—so often overlooked—brought into focus.
Each story is engaging and thoughtfully written, with a strong sense of research behind it. I particularly appreciated that the author includes references to real locations, as well as websites and contact details, which makes the stories feel grounded and even invites readers to explore these places for themselves. It’s inspired me to plan a road trip to visit some of these sites across the UK.
Like many ghost stories, there is a deep undercurrent of tragedy throughout the book. Stories such as the robbery and murder of Bill Neville, whose spirit is said to remain in the theatre he loved, are both haunting and poignant. Others, like Lizzie Borden’s later life—marked by isolation and a rumoured romance with a married woman—offer a more subtle, melancholic glimpse into lives that may never have been fully expressed.
What stood out to me most is how the book draws parallels between the nature of ghost stories and queer history itself. In many cases, the “evidence” for both is fragmentary—suggestions, coded language, or fleeting moments that hint at deeper truths. Many of the individuals in these stories had to conceal their identities in life, leaving behind only traces for historians to interpret. Similarly, the hauntings described are often subtle: footsteps in empty halls, shadowy figures glimpsed in passing. Whether or not one believes in the supernatural, these echoes feel symbolic of lives that were never fully seen or acknowledged.
Ultimately, Queer Hauntings adds an important and thought-provoking dimension to the genre of ghost stories. It doesn’t just aim to unsettle—it invites reflection on memory, identity, and the ways in which people continue to exist in the spaces they once inhabited. It’s a fascinating and moving read that lingers with you, much like the spirits it describes.
Each story is engaging and thoughtfully written, with a strong sense of research behind it. I particularly appreciated that the author includes references to real locations, as well as websites and contact details, which makes the stories feel grounded and even invites readers to explore these places for themselves. It’s inspired me to plan a road trip to visit some of these sites across the UK.
Like many ghost stories, there is a deep undercurrent of tragedy throughout the book. Stories such as the robbery and murder of Bill Neville, whose spirit is said to remain in the theatre he loved, are both haunting and poignant. Others, like Lizzie Borden’s later life—marked by isolation and a rumoured romance with a married woman—offer a more subtle, melancholic glimpse into lives that may never have been fully expressed.
What stood out to me most is how the book draws parallels between the nature of ghost stories and queer history itself. In many cases, the “evidence” for both is fragmentary—suggestions, coded language, or fleeting moments that hint at deeper truths. Many of the individuals in these stories had to conceal their identities in life, leaving behind only traces for historians to interpret. Similarly, the hauntings described are often subtle: footsteps in empty halls, shadowy figures glimpsed in passing. Whether or not one believes in the supernatural, these echoes feel symbolic of lives that were never fully seen or acknowledged.
Ultimately, Queer Hauntings adds an important and thought-provoking dimension to the genre of ghost stories. It doesn’t just aim to unsettle—it invites reflection on memory, identity, and the ways in which people continue to exist in the spaces they once inhabited. It’s a fascinating and moving read that lingers with you, much like the spirits it describes.
October 21, 2024
I've come across a couple weird attitudes in this book.
One: the comment about there being less AIDS/HIV stigma in "civilized nations" (p. 28). Hmm... what countries is the author calling uncivilized?
Another: the phrase "basic human need" (p. 48) to describe owning land. The indigenous people of North America didn't own land. Many people don't own land.
Since it was published in 2009, it's not surprising that asexuals aren't mentioned--just gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. AVEN was founded in 2004, and 2007 is the year I read an article about asexuality in Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture. That was only 2 years before this book was published.
What's surprising is the order: GLBT instead of the usual LGBT (though I prefer LGBTQIA+). White cis males aren't the "default human" they think they are. And I've heard the "L" ended up first in LGBTQ because lesbians helped gay men so much during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.
One: the comment about there being less AIDS/HIV stigma in "civilized nations" (p. 28). Hmm... what countries is the author calling uncivilized?
Another: the phrase "basic human need" (p. 48) to describe owning land. The indigenous people of North America didn't own land. Many people don't own land.
Since it was published in 2009, it's not surprising that asexuals aren't mentioned--just gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. AVEN was founded in 2004, and 2007 is the year I read an article about asexuality in Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture. That was only 2 years before this book was published.
What's surprising is the order: GLBT instead of the usual LGBT (though I prefer LGBTQIA+). White cis males aren't the "default human" they think they are. And I've heard the "L" ended up first in LGBTQ because lesbians helped gay men so much during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2018
I liked this book. It was a pretty basic "true-hauntings" guidebook like many I've read before, but I really liked the addition of queer history, something which is so important to include and acknowledge in all aspects of life and literature. However, this book was in SERIOUS need of a good editor. Multiple references to "grizzly" murders (no bears involved), the five "Burroughs" of New York, a character named Sarah is randomly called Susan, etc. A shame because this felt like it really undermined the integrity of what is otherwise a pretty important work.
November 2, 2020
Enjoyable, but could really use a copy editor. Still good, though, you get what you’d expect. Learned a lot of new bits of queer history and ghost lore, so thats fun, and it leaves room for the reader to decide if they’re a skeptic or a believer, rather than presenting any ghosts as 100% real or 100% fake. I like that. And the book actually acknowledges some bisexual or likely bisexual figures as well and uses the word, so that’s nice. Outdated language in the only story mentioning trans people though.
October 6, 2021
Overall, this book was exactly what I thought it would be, and I loved it for that. A perfect October read for any queer folk.
I can’t give five stars to something with so many errors, though; sentences that don’t make sense unless a few words are rearranged (or removed), like it didn’t get a good proofread or edit. Maybe an editor would’ve also been able to fix all the missing “L”’s when the author just writes “GBT” instead of the - awkwardly arranged, and just odd since you hardly see it used - “GLBT” they chose to use.
But again - good collection of haunting tales.
I can’t give five stars to something with so many errors, though; sentences that don’t make sense unless a few words are rearranged (or removed), like it didn’t get a good proofread or edit. Maybe an editor would’ve also been able to fix all the missing “L”’s when the author just writes “GBT” instead of the - awkwardly arranged, and just odd since you hardly see it used - “GLBT” they chose to use.
But again - good collection of haunting tales.
September 19, 2017
With Halloween approaching, this is the perfect time to revisit Ken Summers’ Queer Hauntings. From Lizzie Borden to the Upstairs Lounge and back, this is a scary, interesting read that takes a look at some queer legends and some you didn’t know had that sensibility. The book is organized by region, with the section on the South particularly effective, but when it comes to bloody legends, it’s hard to outdo New Jersey. And I mean that in more ways than one.
May 8, 2020
This is a fun introduction to some legendary gay and lesbian hauntings.
October 29, 2009
It is amazing to me that no one has thought to write something like this before now. But this IS a really singular volume. It's not merely a collection of ghost stories. It's an invitation to the reader to induge in their own paranormal (well, queer paranormal) investigations (the epilogue even has safty tips for amateurs). Most stories include the address of the haunted property & many can be visited. The bulk of the sites profiled are in the US and the UK. So it hits sites from Trenton New Jersey to Pasay City Philippines.
The entries also include history of the sites and the people (in life and in death) and the GLBT connection. The famous (Walt Whitman, Oscar Wilde) and the infamous (Lizzie Borden) and the totally obscure (Sarah Ponsonby)make appearances. The stories are more factual than spooky (though reading late at night might be a little rough on your nerves) and there are extensive notes should you want to research further on your own.
A few of the entries are on the brief side, and the font is...well odd (ok, it annoyed me). But all in all this belongs in most paranormal collections and ALL those collections interested in "family" spirits.
I must state that I know Ken, but that only influences my review a little bit (come on, I'm a professional after all! I get paid to write reviews--and no, no payment was involved here :-)
The entries also include history of the sites and the people (in life and in death) and the GLBT connection. The famous (Walt Whitman, Oscar Wilde) and the infamous (Lizzie Borden) and the totally obscure (Sarah Ponsonby)make appearances. The stories are more factual than spooky (though reading late at night might be a little rough on your nerves) and there are extensive notes should you want to research further on your own.
A few of the entries are on the brief side, and the font is...well odd (ok, it annoyed me). But all in all this belongs in most paranormal collections and ALL those collections interested in "family" spirits.
I must state that I know Ken, but that only influences my review a little bit (come on, I'm a professional after all! I get paid to write reviews--and no, no payment was involved here :-)
October 10, 2011
Fascinating to see nontreaditional stories of hauntings, including some famous ones, Lizzie Borden, Rudolph Cakentino, and Piers Gaveston. The chapters are heavy on the history and sscant on the actual paranormal events. The writing can be odd and once in a while the facts are off.. like the man caputred by Nazis during WW I (sic) and a few of the hauntings are not by gay or lesbian ghosts but simply in gay bars. I think my favorite was the ghost in a British pub who likes to fiddle with men's zippers. It is also sad to read stories of people who had to keep love lives under wraps to avoid censure or worse and of lovers parted by death and not allowed to grieve publicly.
August 23, 2016
Interesting...
I found the information in this book to be incredibly interesting and intriguing... However, there were a ton of editing/typing errors that sometimes got downright distracting. Good for lovers of ghost stories and queer history... Not so good for those who get nervous tics from typos.
I found the information in this book to be incredibly interesting and intriguing... However, there were a ton of editing/typing errors that sometimes got downright distracting. Good for lovers of ghost stories and queer history... Not so good for those who get nervous tics from typos.
November 14, 2013
Actually read this quite a long time ago, and in going through my to-read shelf wanted to put in a word that the author's done a great job with the theme -- recommended for paranormal enthusiasts.
August 1, 2014
An interesting, and at times chilling, narrative about ghosts, hauntings and history.
January 7, 2016
Cute, but definitely not spooky. Reads like a possible tour guide of haunted locales. Shirt blurbs about each location with a bit of background. More historic and fun than anything else.
July 8, 2016
Gay ghosts are awesome in theory; until you have to read tragic death after tragic death :/
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June 18, 2016Not for me - tales are too short.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews