Lover Of Men examines the intimate life of America’s most consequential president, Abraham Lincoln. As told by preeminent Lincoln scholars and never before seen photographs and letters, the film details Lincoln’s romantic relationships with men. The film widens its lens into the history of human sexual fluidity and focuses on the profound differences between sexual mores of the nineteenth century and those we hold today. The film fills in an important missing piece of American history and challenges the audience to consider why we hold such a limited view of human sexuality. This is not only an exploration of gender roles and sexual identity, but also serves as an examination of American intolerance.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW

The timing of the release date for this film could’t be more appropriate, with an American election looming, and the constant chatter about LGBTQ+ rights an important issue on both sides of the pendulum. Lincoln served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865, and will be remembered during his time in office as leading the USA through a civil war, and his playing a major role in the abolition and emancipation of slavery. What he may not be remembered for, until now, is his attraction to several men that were close to him.

Lover of Men delves into this area of her personal life by way of historical facts and anecdotes related directly to him, and from others around him. The film also provides a great historical look back in time to when one’s sexuality was not of utter importance to most of society, and shows it’s only been in the more recent years of the late 19th century that the topic of same-sex attraction became a topic of conservation and intolerance. Prior to then is was quite common for same-sex individuals to form close homosocial relationships that were very intimate in nature, albeit not necessarily sexual in nature. This film depicts four gentlemen that Lincoln is believed to have had relationships with while growing up, and while serving in the White House. Each were also presumed to have had a sexual connotation to them.

So was he gay, bi, openly curious, and did anyone really care at the time? There can be no clear answer, but this is the first documentary to finally ask these questions with candor and fact, and not try to erase presumptive queer history from our society as has been the case with Lincoln up until this point. The film wraps with a snapshot of where we are at today, with the Gen Z youth once again fighting to have LGBTQ+ rights become a non-issue, with the difficult road ahead remaining a constant battle.

 

Directed by Shaun Peterson.

Produced by Shaun Peterson, Robert Rosenheck

Executive Produced by Cindy Capobianco

Lover Of Men features interviews with the following scholars and historians:

Dr. John Stauffer – Harvard University

Dr. Thomas Balcerski – Occidental College

Michael Bronski – Harvard University

Dr. Craig Tichelkamp – Harvard Divinity School

Dr. Jack Halberstam – Columbia University

Dr. Tey Meadow – Columbia University

Dr. Emily Owens – Brown University

Dr. Kellie Carter Jackson – Wellesley College

Dr. Charles Strozier – Historian

Dr. Jean Baker – Historian

Dr. Michael Chesson – University of MA Boston

Jonathan Ned Katz – Historian

Hugh Ryan – Author/Historian

Dr. Beryl Satter – Rutgers University

Dr. Hanne Blank Boyd – Author/Historian

Dr. Lisa Diamond – University of Utah

Alok Vaid-Menon – Artist/Historian

Rep. Zooey Zephyr – Montana State Legislator

Joan Cummins – Associate Director of Learning Initiatives, President Lincoln’s Cottage

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About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.