I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say to me lately, “Pete Buttigieg will be our first gay President some day.” Hell, I’ve even said it myself a number of times. But what if we’ve already had one or two, albeit not openly so? Rumors have abounded over the years that James Buchanan, POTUS #15 and the only bachelor President, was a gay man who had a relationship with our 13th Vice President, William Rufus King. Some, including Andrew Jackson referred to the pair as “Aunt Fancy” and “Miss Nancy”. While Buchanan’s legacy has seemed less than stellar, not long after, the man considered one of our arguably greatest Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, may have also been gay. Shaun Peterson certainly makes a compelling case in his fascinating new documentary, Lover Of Men: The Untold History Of Abraham Lincoln.
While not groundbreaking in its approach, utilizing a mixture of talking heads from historians and activists, dialogue-free recreations, and excerpts from existing letters, Peterson nonetheless makes a convincing and moving case for Lincoln’s queerness. Furthermore, he’s created something moving which astutely links the past to the present.
Throughout the film, we see Lincoln’s involvement with four men, with one in particular, Joshua Speed, ostensibly serving as the love of his life. Peterson certainly has the receipts to prove his point by dipping into Lincoln’s own correspondence, sometimes backed up by observations of those in his circle. Sure, some have said the nature of same-sex friendships at the time allowed for overt displays of affection and shared sleeping arrangements, but the film makes the case for historical erasure. It strongly states that this happened and those in power don’t want the public to know about it.
One can’t deny Lincoln would sign letters to Speed with the words, “Yours forever”, which he never would do in letters to his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. He’d also speak of a fear of women and opted to share a small bed with Speed even when offered his own room. I found myself touched deeply when Speed ended his relationship with Lincoln by marrying a woman, thus encouraging Abe to do the same. It may have been for Lincoln’s political gain, but it doesn’t make it any less heartbreaking.
Pundits in the documentary speak of the cultural demands to tuck anything gay away by hiding behind such marriages. The last act carries us from that age of the closet to today, where so many, especially in politics, have lived openly and proudly. I could have done without the end credit Diana Ross needle drop and the Ziggy Stardust-ing of Lincoln’s face, which I feel take away a bit from the pathos of his life, but Peterson’s reaching out to younger generations feels admirable nonetheless. Yes, this film could easily slot itself right into a History Channel program, but the use of recreations adds a cinematic touch which makes for a lovely collective experience in a theater. I’m really grateful this film exists, bolstering what used to be a lot of cocktail party chatter. It makes me so proud of our forebears. Pete Buttigieg may end up making Presidential history some day, but if so, he stands on the shoulders of at least two others.
By Glenn Gaylord, Senior Film Critic
Lover Of Men: The Untold History Of Abraham Lincoln opens in theaters only on September 6th. Lover Of Men has partnered with HRC; those who purchase tickets to see the film in theaters this weekend via the link below will directly benefit The Human Rights Campaign.
