Suggestions Lincoln, Buchanan Gay Roils Historians

[davidinalameda]

http://365gay.com/Newscon08/02/021808pres.htm

As the country observed Presidents' Day the debate over whether two former Presidents - James Buchanan and Abraham Lincoln - were gay continues.

James Buchanan was born in 1791 near Mercerburg, Pennsylvania. He was elected five times to the House of Representatives; then, after a serving as ambassador to Russia he was elected to the Senate where he served for a decade.

Buchanan became Polk's Secretary of State and Pierce's Minister to Great Britain. Service abroad helped to bring him the Democratic nomination in 1856 because it had exempted him from involvement in bitter domestic controversies.

The 15th president of the United States was the only bachelor to serve in that office and his private live soon became fogger for Washington wags.

[TwilightGardener]

1. "Fogger" for Washington wags?

[davidinalameda]

2. it probably should be fodder

365gay isn't known for its outstanding editing sometimes

[TwilightGardener]

3. I figured. I didn't know that about Buchanan, but I'd long heard that Lincoln was gay, because

of his very-close relationship with his roommate. Fascinating stuff. Thank God he managed to become President when we most needed him, because he would never have made it through the media today--for a whole host of reasons.

[Rowdyboy]

4. I've read about Lincoln before but never seen this poem he wrote....its it bit odd

The book contains a poem discovered by Tripp that was written by the young Lincoln which includes the lines:

Billy has married a boy
The girlies he tried
on every side/
but none could he get to agree
All was in vain
he went home again/
and since that is married to Natty.

[xchrom]

5. a bit odd indeed.

the problem here is lincoln -- here the nation practically worships him on bended knee -- and um in america -- his being gay would make that a huge problem for wingers.

[meegbear]

6. I was a late discover of NPR ...

(really, taking mid/late 90s). I brought a radio/CD player into work and my workmate asked if I would put on the local NPR. I switched to the station and the first thing I heard was:

"SO WHAT IF LINCOLN WAS GAY!"

:wow: :rofl: was my reaction.