Vampire-Americans
Although the existence of vampires in the United States was only made public in the 21st century; vampire communities have existed in the United States since colonial days. The first vampires settled in New England in the 17th century. The Puritans launched anti-vampire campaigns which ultimately drove them underground. In 1718, a large coven of French vampires settled in New Orleans, seeking trade and fresh livestock. Vampires fleeing persecution in France and Germany would later flock to the safe haven of New Orleans, especially after the French Revolution targeted French aristocrats. America attracted vampires of numerous European nationalities. English vampires settled in Virginia in order to buy slaves to use as food. While vampires settled in the North, particularly New England and New York City; Vampire Americans concentrated in the south due to the large slave population providing sustenance. Vampires covertly provided backing to pro-slavery politicians and became one of the driving forces behind the Secessionist cause. New England abolitionists inherited from their Puritan ancestors a religious abhorrence towards the demonic vampires of the South. During General Sherman's March to the Sea, these abolitionist vampire hunters targeted vampire slaveholders, significantly reducing the population of American Vampires. A remnant community of the tidewater vampires exists today in Mystic Falls, Virginia. In the 20th century, Vampire Americans would later migrate to urban areas in California and Chicago. The small town of Jerusalem's Lot, Maine was completely overtaken by vampires in the 1970s. Additionally, a large number of vampires migrated to the town of Sunnydale. By the late 20th century, a few vampires began to openly assert their identity as vampires, like rock star Leon de Lionheart. Following several incidents in California and an attack on London by a secret army of Nazi vampires; vampires were forced to reveal their existence to the public. The mass production of the synthetic sustenance Tru Blood allowed vampires to openly live among humans. While the Vampire rights movement has won legal protections for vampires; vampires still face enormous discrimination and suspicion from the vast majority of the American public. Liberals who would otherwise support minority groups have been reluctant to support Vampire rights since many contemporary vampires supported slavery and the Confederacy in their younger days. Additionally, vampires are widely disliked by the LGBT community due to their alleged involvement in spreading AIDS in the 1980s. Many conservatives despise Vampires for religious reasons; and anti-mutant groups have shifted to opposing Vampire rights in the 2010s. Despite the murder of Vampires being illegal, law enforcement and vampire hunters continue to target them. A few wealthy vampires continue to feast upon live humans and make large political donations to hide their habits. There are an estimated 250,000 vampires living in the United States as of 2019. The largest population of vampires remains concentrated around Greater New Orleans, with other population centers in Mississippi, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, California, Washington, Virginia, Texas, Alaska, Illinois and Alabama. Since 2015, a large number of vampires and humans have become followers of apocalyptic cult leader Renesmee Cullen. Cullen claims to be the divine reincarnation of the ancient vampires who will lead her people to world domination. Other prominent Vampire-Americans alive include Barnabas Collins, the founder of Collinsport Maine, private investigator Angelus, New Orleans businessman Niklaus Mikaelson, and venture capitalist Peter Thiel.