New documentary to detail Abraham Lincoln’s romantic relationships with men
Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln, out later this year, will feature interviews with historians, scholars and Lincoln experts
A new film is set to examine historical evidence that iconic US president Abraham Lincoln had romantic relationships with men.
Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln, out later this year, will feature interviews with over a dozen historians and scholars, plus previously unseen letters and photographs.
The film, directed by Shaun Peterson, has been launched with promotional materials featuring Lincoln with a David Bowie-esque lightening bolt across his face.
‘History of human sexual fluidity’
The official Lover of Men longline describes the film as an examination of ‘the intimate life of America’s most consequential president.’
It states: ‘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.’
Writing on Instagram back in May, Peterson said of the film: “Years in the making…my passion project has come to life.”
Lincoln was elected US president in 1860 and died in 1865. He was the subject of the 2012 Oscar-winning biopic Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis.
Scholars and historians featured in Lover of Men
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