QUEER WORD
SLASH FICTION

What It Means:

Slash fiction refers to fan-created stories that explore romantic or sexual relationships between two same-gender characters (usually male/male pairings).

These characters are often lifted from mainstream pop culture - think superheroes, sci-fi icons, or wizards-in-training - and are rarely (if ever) portrayed as queer in the original material.

The name slash comes from the symbol (/) used to label these pairings - think Deadpool/Wolverine, Batman/Robin, or Harry Potter/Ron Weasley.

Let’s Use It In A Sentence: 

So consumed by the 23-part slash fiction she’d just discovered on her favourite fan site, Maggie didn’t leave the house for three days straight.

A wee bit of history

Star Trek sure does have a lot to answer for.

Not only did it leave us yearning for teleporters to whisk us away to far-off planets, but it also helped spark one of the most enduring (and fabulously queer) genres in fanfiction: slash fiction.

But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. What exactly is slash fiction?

Simply put, slash fiction is a form of fanfiction where fans reimagine same-gender characters (typically male) in romantic or sexual relationships. These relationships often stem from characters with existing chemistry or strong bonds in their original stories—ones that fans believe could be romantic, if only the creators were brave enough to go there.

From Kirk/Spock to an entire fandom

So why did I start with Star Trek, and what does it have to do with gay fanfiction?

Well, all the way back in the 1970s, fans began writing stories that paired Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock in a romantic relationship. Played by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, the characters had a compelling dynamic that fans read as something… more.

Suspecting that they'd likely never see this explored on the show, fans got creative, and began concocting stories that brought Kirk and Spock together romantically, thus kicking off a whole sub-genre that would become known as slash fiction.

And keep in mind, this was pre-internet (gasp!), a time when you couldn't just find fellow fans by searching for them on Google. These stories were hand-written or typed, then shared through zines and photocopied for circulation, reaching readers worldwide who could enjoy (or, you know, fantasise over) these stories.​

What's especially curious about all of this, though, is that the masterminds behind this movement weren’t typically queer men— in fact, most often they were straight women.

‘Straight women’, I hear you gasp?

Well, there's no straightforward answer here, as every writer is likely to have her own reasons. But some perspectives suggest that writing slash fiction allowed for the exploration of emotional depth and intimacy between characters without the typical constraints of traditional gender roles.

Others argue that female characters of the time weren’t written with enough depth or complexity to make compelling protagonists, so fans turned to male characters instead.

Nevertheless, in a world with limited LGBTQ+ representation, slash fiction gave fans (both queer and non-queer) a way to create their own narratives and explore what mainstream media left unsaid. Not only that, it nurtured a magical secret community that helped people feel seen, and a little less alone (with the added bonus of feeling a little horned too).

So, yeah, we may not be able to travel instantaneously to far off majestic planets, but one of Star Trek's greatest legacies just might be the way it launched a genre that pushed a few boundaries right here on Earth.

(And, I swear, I'm never going to look at the “/” symbol the same way ever again).

QUEER PUZZLEMENT
The Most Deliciously Absurd Kirk/Spock Slash Fiction Stories On The Internet

Dear reader, I have been tirelessly trawling the internet to bring you the most 'what the...?' slash fiction stories featuring Kirk and Spock. Strap in, cause things are about to get spicy (and confusing)!

🐙 Ink Stains: After a drunken night of adventure, Kirk wakes up with Spock’s name tattooed on his ass. What happens next?

👁️ Eye Bleach: A crew member finds a compromising video of Kirk and Spock (and has to watch it all the way through, of course).

🧛🏼 Creature of the Night: A story in which Kirk is a vampire slayer, and Spock is a vampire. Sexy!

🙏 The Capricious God: They're getting more and more absurd. In this story Kirk is a God, and Spock is the priest assigned to tend to his every need. What could go wrong?

♟️ Chess!Verse: Kirk and Spock are reimagined as teenagers who meet at a chess tournament. Who comes up with these ideas?

👽 Close Encounters: Kirk is abducted by aliens, and OF COURSE he gets probed by Spock.

FAQ: Slash Fiction

What is slash fiction?
Slash fiction is a type of fan-created story that imagines romantic or sexual relationships between two characters of the same gender - usually men- from popular media. The term "slash" comes from the symbol (/) used to pair characters (e.g. Kirk/Spock, Harry/Draco, Dean/Castiel).

Why is it called "slash" fiction?
The name comes from the use of the forward slash (/) to denote a romantic or sexual pairing—e.g., Batman/Robin. It helps distinguish these stories from gen (general, non-romantic) fanfiction.

When did slash fiction start?
It emerged in the 1970s, with fans of Star Trek writing zines that imagined romantic scenarios between Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock. Yes, that long ago—and yes, that gay.

Is slash fiction only written by queer people?
Nope. While many queer people have found community and representation in slash fiction, the genre was largely pioneered by straight women. Over time, it’s become more diverse, and now includes a wide range of voices and perspectives.

Is slash fiction only about men?
Traditionally, yes—slash fiction typically focuses on male/male (M/M) pairings. However, there’s also femslash, which centres women (e.g. Xena/Gabrielle or Carol/Maria). Both fall under the umbrella of queer fanfiction.

Is all slash fiction explicit?
Not at all. Some slash fic is steamy, sure—but a lot of it focuses on emotional intimacy, slow-burn romance, or domestic fluff. (Though there’s also plenty of angst and drama, don’t worry.)

What’s the difference between slash fiction and queerbaiting?
Great question. Slash fiction is created by fans and is a form of reclaiming or inserting queer narratives into stories that often lack them. Queerbaiting, on the other hand, is when creators imply queerness for clout or intrigue—without ever committing to real representation.

Where can I read slash fiction today?
You’ll find it all over the internet—on sites like Archive of Our Own (AO3), Wattpad, FanFiction.net, and even Tumblr. Some older fics still circulate via blogs or forums. Whatever your fandom, there’s probably a slash fic for it.