Abraham Lincoln Was Gay

[indigobusiness]

New Book Argues Abe Lincoln Was Gay

By United Press International
Thursday, December 16, 2004

The age-old debate of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln's sexuality is due to be stirred up with the release of an author's determination Lincoln was gay.

In "The Intimate World of Abraham Lincoln," to be published next month by Free Press, the late author C.A. Tripp claims Lincoln had a homosexual relationship with the captain of his bodyguards, David Derickson, who shared his bed whenever Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd, was away.

Tripp died last year, two weeks after completing 10 years of research on the book, the New York Times said.

Tripp charts Lincoln's relationships with other men, including Joshua Speed, with whom he shared a bed for four years, and Billy Greene, with whom Lincoln also shared a bed in New Salem, Ill. Greene reportedly said Lincoln's thighs "were as perfect as a human being could be."

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/entertainment/s_284103.html

Note - The original link to a lengthy Discovery story about the books and the evidence Lincoln was gay has been taken off-line. Clearly, 'they' ordered the Discovery article deleted. Here is the original link:
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20041206/lincoln.html%20::

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I knew about Joshua Speed

but back then it was common for men to share beds. Lincoln did it while riding the 8th Judicial Circuit. It was a common practice back then, and didn't have any sexual connotation. But from what I've read of Walt Whitman, who was gay, people weren't as freaked out about homosexuality back then, either. I have read that supposedly Lincoln visited prostitutes before his marriage to Mary Todd, and that he told rather bawdy stories to his men friends. It is true that he was uncomfortable around women, and preferred male company, but again, one must look at the times, when the sexes didn't mingle as much as they do today. All this being said, I must say I'd never heard of David Derickson before this, and I've been reading about Lincoln since I was able to read. I'll check out the link. If Lincoln was bisexual or gay, it would add another facet to an already complex character.

[Cuban_Liberal]

8. Lincoln quote on his 'fear'of women.

"A woman is the only thing I am afraid of that I know will not hurt me."

;)

[MissBrooks]

2. Why do we need to do this to historic figures?

First it was Alexander the Great, now Abraham Lincoln.

The truth is WE WILL NEVER KNOW!

So - why even worry about it.

[indigobusiness]

3. That was my reaction.

What's up with us?

[UdoKier]

5. Besides, who cares if they were or not?

It's obvious that homosexuality has been around since the dawn of time. It doesn't require the outing of historical figures to legitimize it.

It's another, perfectly normal facet of human sexuality. It just doesn't appear in everyone. It's far too common to be an aberration.

[indigobusiness]

7. We are a Soap Opera culture.

Alas.

[knight_of_the_star]

4. The GOP won't like that

Their first president would possibly be in defiance of their anti-gay stance.

[indigobusiness]

6. The Republican party of Lincoln was not the GOP

They are distinctly different political parties. Similar in name only.

[Stephanjnj]

9. The GOP will introduce legislation putting Abe on a $3 bill...

as an excuse to free up the $5 slot for Reagan.

[Stephanjnj]

10. Then they'll accuse Abe of being...

a closet Democrat!