Before Dracula There was Carmilla "The Lesbian Vampire"

I thought that Dracula was the first ever book about vampires that was created and published by Bram Stoker. However, while carrying out my research I found out that Carmilla was was the first vampire to be introduced in the nineteenth century. LeFanu published this book in the year 1872.

Bram Stoker was in fact hugely influenced from the story of Carmilla from the book, In a Glass Darkly by Joseph Sheridan LeFanu.During the 19th century being lesbian was seen as a sin an when this book on Carmilla came across people it was considered as transgressive. Carmilla was the lesbian vampire who had overly sexual desires for Laura as they become good friends and sooner than later falls in love with her. 

Auerbach argues that Carmilla is one of the few self-accepting homosexual vampires of the time. This is because she had the courage to have a relationship with another woman instead of the men she was surrounded by. This was seen as a major threat to marriage in the nineteenth century. Homosexuality would be an issue raised by the protestants as this would go against religious beliefs during that era. However, the sexual desires and romantic relationship will fit in well with the gothic horror.

During that era writers often described the women in their books as having excessive pleasure in sex. in my opinion, I think this is what appeals to the audience specially to the men and could be to some women as well. As Stoker was inspired from this story and wrote about Dracula, there are many things that link characters from Dracula to the ones in Carmilla. The three female vampires that attack Harker whilst he is at Dracula's castle. Even though they attacked a man, they could be lesbians for all you know. this is because they are seen lurking over one another in a very weird way. This would definitely be one of Stoker's inspirational ideas from Carmilla.

Lucy is described as a very erotic lady at first and after she becomes Dracula's victim she is seen having sexual symptoms of immorality that were just not right. In some aspects I think Stoker tried creating Lucy's character to be sort of like the one of Carmilla. The sexual desires, outspoken woman, charming personality, these are all characteristics that are similar between Carmilla and Lucy. Laura is the innocent one who is Carmilla's victim/love. While in Stoker's novel Mina is the innocent one and who is also Dracula's love and eventually becomes his victim.  Mina and Laura have a lot in common too and it seems like Stoker wanted to present Mina with characteristics of Laura.

Ref:
Palmer P, 1999. Lesbian Gothic: Trangressive Fictions. Cassell, London
Le Fanu J S, 1964. Best Ghost Stories. Dover, New York