Was our 16th president horny for guys? That’s what the new documentary Lover Of Men: The Untold History Of Abraham Lincoln sets out to prove.
The explosive new documentary gathers preeminent Lincoln scholars together to examine never-before-seen photographs and letters that detail Lincoln’s romantic relationships with men. It also features historical recreations that really bring us into his bedroom. Beyond just outing Abe Lincoln, Lover Of Men expands its lens to look at attitudes toward fluid sexuality in the nineteenth century versus today.
In the trailer, we see that Abraham Lincoln shared a bed and a relationship with Joshua Speed for four years! Life before the apps, y’all. It was easier to land a man in Lincoln’s time! Apparently, Lincoln really loved Speed but was forced into a heterosexual marriage for his political career. Then during the war, Lincoln found love again and lived with Captain Derickson while Mary Todd Lincoln was away. (Oh yeah, if you’re in New York, go see Oh, Mary, the smash comedy about Mary Todd.) But also, I need an epic gay historical film about Lincoln and Derickson in production now.
In its second part, Lover of Men talks about how if we can accept that one of America’s most beloved and respected presidents was gay, how does that change American history and gay history?
Lover of Men premieres in select US theaters on September 6. To see where the film is playing closest to you, click here.
Now, as much I said I wanted a Hollywood movie, I also want a porn parody. Listen, if we can get Scream, Dexter, and Full House porn parodies, we should get honest Abe on his honest knees.
Abe Lincoln was GORGEOUS, and I’m sure he has a very big penis. I really wish I could have a romantic night with this ex president of the United States. I dream about it.
Historical appropriation with controversy to generate engagement. We cannot lose the historical context of the facts: in the past, sometimes an entire family shared one bed. Today’s society does not accurately reflect the way of life of that time.
This was a story 25 years ago and debunked then. Lincoln suffered from chronic depression – this has been well documented. Not everyone had a bed in those days – it isn’t like today where you find multiple beds in a home. In the old days, in small cabins, people, family, friends, roommates shared beds. Single men shared beds because it was either that or sleep on the floor. In fact, multiple people would sleep in a bed together. When it’s a cold winter in a cabin with only one bed and no such thing as heating and air conditioning, sharing a bed was the only option. Lincoln’s true love was a young woman named Anne Rutledge. She died of typhoid while Lincoln was on a two week trip. When he came home, she had already been buried. I have done extensive reading about Lincoln.
He married Mary Todd, and had four sons (only one living to adulthood-Robert), but Mary Todd was not the love of his life. Odd that they leave out that the real reason Lincoln was depressed was because his engagement to Mary Todd had just been broken off. Kind of an important detail to overlook.
Thank you. You are correct and have obviously researched this as have I. I also found the same information.
This is cultural appropriation. Putting modern standards onto history.
It was when this came up in the late 80’s too.
I am not sure that it is necessary to pry into the personal lives of historical people, even if he was the president.