Abraham Lincoln

The White House website describes Abraham Lincoln as the sixteenth president of the United States, but Lincoln had done so much more and even became a queer icon throughout his lifetime. Historians have speculated that Abraham identified as homosexual or bisexual, but remained closeted throughout his lifetime. Hiding one’s sexuality was highly common at the time, as “sodomy,” “unnatural acts,” or even accusations of homosexual behaviors and actions commonly lead to individuals losing their careers overall respect from entire communities; along with being sent to prison or facing large fines. Due to the fact that Lincoln worked in government, none of the possible punishments appealed to him in the slightest.

Lincoln was thought to have had short-term relationships with many men, including his own bodyguards and even the captain of the bodyguards, David V. Derickson. One particular man, Joshua Speed, lived alone with Lincoln for over four years and was the subject of many of Lincoln’s love letters. When Speed planned to move to Kentucky later on in life, Lincoln was heartbroken and broke off his engagement with Mary Todd in order to follow Speed to Kentucky. 

Eventually, Speed left without him, but Lincoln later followed. After Speed married a woman named Fanny Hemingway, Lincoln returned to Washington and eventually married Mary Todd after canceling the engagement once more. Throughout their marriage, Lincoln reportedly continued his relationships with Derickson when his wife would leave the home. Todd and Lincoln had a very rocky and troubled marriage, as they frequently unofficially split up. Eventually, the couple had four children in order to continue Lincoln’s bloodline. 

As Lincoln’s own stepmother, Sarah Bush Lincoln, once said, “He was not very fond of girls, as he seemed to me.” Although only Abraham Lincoln will truly know how he identified within the sexuality spectrum, he has still become an icon for a variety of individuals, especially within the queer community. 

More information on the sexuality and life of Abraham Lincoln can be found in The Intimate World of Abraham Lincoln by C.A. Tripp. Tripp, an influential gay author and sex researcher, spent over ten years studying and investigating Lincoln’s sexuality and his relationships with Speed and Derickson.