Was Abraham Lincoln gay? A new documentary proposes he was a ‘lover of men’
Abraham Lincoln is often seen as a symbol of American ideals: courageous, kind-hearted, wise, and possibly gay.
The documentary “Lover of Men,” which is currently in theaters, explores the notion that the 16th President of the United States had several male companions during his life, even after he wed Mary Todd Lincoln. This sensitive subject has been a topic of discussion among scholars for years, who have examined letters and accounts from Lincoln’s time, revealing discreet indications of significant queer relationships.
Despite this, discussions about his sexuality are often dismissed as simple “urban legends.”
Producer Rob Rosenheck notes, “We exist in a society that exhibits homophobia. Discussions around Lincoln’s potential queerness are often treated as mere ‘theory’ or ‘myth.’ This recurrent topic in our history cannot be ignored.”
Director Shaun Peterson points out, “Some people question whether we should explore his personal life. This raises a homophobic undertone. Countless writings discuss Lincoln’s troubled marriage to Mary, yet when it concerns his potential love for men, it’s often deemed inappropriate to dig deeper.”
The documentary suggests that Abraham Lincoln was sexually fluid
The documentary claims that Lincoln engaged in long-lasting relationships with several men, starting with Billy Greene, whom he met at a general store in his younger years in Illinois. Greene recounted to William Herndon, Lincoln’s law associate and one of his earliest biographers, that he shared a narrow cot with Lincoln for about 18 months, describing Lincoln’s physique in detail, noting how “perfect” his thighs were.
Communal sleeping arrangements in the 1800s were common and did not always carry the sexual implications they do today. Nevertheless, even as he rose in prominence as a lawyer and legislator, Lincoln continued to share beds with other males, implying this was more than just a financial necessity—it was something he took pleasure in.
Tom Balcerski, a presidential historian at Eastern Connecticut State University, questions, “Why is it so difficult for people to accept that physical intimacy can be enjoyable? We are not in the Victorian era, yet there seems to be a similar prudishness surrounding this topic.”
Allegedly, Lincoln’s most significant romantic connection was with a storekeeper named Joshua Speed, whom he met in 1837. They shared both lodging and a bed for four years until Speed returned to his family in Kentucky, which deeply affected Lincoln. Experts in the documentary share that Lincoln fell into a severe depression afterward and required vigilant care from friends who removed potentially harmful items from his vicinity.
Though Speed later married a woman, he maintained contact with Lincoln through affection-filled letters preserved at the Library of Congress, available for online reading. Lincoln frequently concluded his letters with “yours forever.”
“You can feel the passion in his words,” Peterson remarks. “Lincoln would express sentiments like, ‘I miss you’ and ‘I’m envious of your new wife, Joshua.’ He unveils his emotions in these writings. Such depth is unprecedented in any of his other communications.”
Lincoln married Mary in 1842, but Balcerski suggests, “It was primarily a political union.” As for the presence of romantic desire in their marriage? It’s complex: The couple had separate bedrooms in the White House and had four children over ten years.
According to an entry in Elizabeth Woodbury Fox’s diary, the spouse of Lincoln’s naval aide, they shared a bed. An 1895 publication by Thomas Chamberlin, an officer from the regiment that protected Lincoln, also noted this sleeping arrangement, mentioning that Derickson would don Lincoln’s nightshirts.
Like many individuals of that era, the president was likely what we would today term as sexually fluid.
“The current generation of Americans, which we label Generation Z, is more queer and fluid than ever. They understand this discussion,” Balcerski remarks. “However, discussing this with older generations can feel like banging your head against a wall.”
The play ‘Lover of Men’ has already stirred up debate among online critics
Interestingly, “Lover of Men” coincides with the Broadway success of Cole Escola’s “Oh, Mary!”, which is drawing huge crowds. This dark comedy offers a humorous twist on Civil War history, portraying Mary as a drunk, aspiring cabaret performer and Lincoln as a closeted gay man longing for his bodyguard.
“It’s pure serendipity,” Peterson expresses. “The cosmic forces of Lincoln have granted us a touch of magic. They complement each other well.”
The documentary has already faced backlash from conservatives, with figures like Ben Shapiro and Alex Jones criticizing it online. The creators hope that skeptics will form their own views after viewing the film, which aims to illuminate how queer history is frequently minimized or forgotten.
“I don’t have a specific agenda,” Peterson clarifies. “I’m not trying to persuade anyone to be gay! As a documentarian, my goal was to explore evidence and present a case grounded in that evidence. I wouldn’t have created this documentary if I didn’t believe the evidence supports it.”
