The documentary takes a close look at the life and loves of the 16th U. The new documentary Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln goes behind the scenes of the 16th president's life — and into his bedroom. Was Lincoln queer? In recent years, there's been mounting speculation that he was, and Lover of Men makes its case through the writings of Lincoln and his contemporaries letters, biographies, etc.
The documentary, which debuted in select theaters Sept. Lover of Men focuses on his relationships with four men — William "Billy" Greene, Elmer Ellsworth, David Derickson and Joshua Speed — while also examining the sexual and social customs of the times.
The four men played pivotal roles in his Lincoln's life and, according to the documentary, all were romantically involved with him at various points. Speed, in particular, is described as "the love of Lincoln's life. Here are some of the documentary's most surprising revelations and allegations.
The documentary quotes letters in which contemporaries of Lincoln wrote about his general distaste for "the girls. In response to what professor Michael Chesson of the University of Massachusetts calls "Lincoln's avoidance or aversion to young women," and further evidence that he had little interest in the opposite sex during his younger years, historian Dr.
Charles Strozier says, "I think it suggests Lincoln may have been a virgin at The couple went on to have four children together. Balcerski, though, respectfully disagrees with Strozier's assessment of Lincoln as possibly being a year-old virgin. So, he adds, "You have two theories: He's a virgin, which I dismiss, or his sexual needs were being met through men I can conclude that Lincoln had his physical needs met through contact with other men, and I can see it as a pattern in his life.
