The new documentary Lover of Men reveals the hidden truths about President Abraham Lincoln and his romantic relationships with men.
The film’s official synopsis reads: “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. Lover of Men widens its lens into the history of human sexual fluidity and focuses on the profound differences between sexual mores of the 19th 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. Lover of Men is not only an exploration of gender roles and sexual identity but also serves as an examination of American intolerance.”
Queerness has existed throughout history since the dawn of time, unlike what former president Donald Trump wants us to believe. At a time when the human rights of queer Americans are in danger, revolution has been set ablaze in the streets. These days remind us of the time in which President Lincoln progressed towards equality under the law as much as he could. Hopefully, this film will open new minds to the perspective that our history was never so rigid and binary when it comes to love and identity.
“Lincoln’s sexuality has long been a subject of speculation; it even has its own Wikipedia page,” Says Them. However, to be president he had to have a wife due to the strict marriage culture in America at the time. According to this documentary, however, it seemed that he spent more time in bed with men than he did with women. Many written letters detail his feelings towards the men in his life that he had very close relationships with.
Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln comes out September 6 in AMC Theaters.
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