Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln

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2:33

Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln

Released Sep 6, 2024

1h 41m

Documentary

Biography

History

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Lover of Men examines the intimate life of America's most consequential president, Abraham Lincoln. 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 nineteenth 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.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

So, was Abraham Lincoln Gay? I have no idea. But Lover of Men does a fine job of pondering this question as best it can.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 9, 2024

Full Review

Nicolas Rapold

New York Times

The general effort of bringing to light (and potentially to history books) an underrepresented part of American experience remains vital beyond defining Lincoln’s identity.

Sep 5, 2024

Full Review

David Lewis

San Francisco Chronicle

Peterson’s movie hits its stride when it’s straightforwardly laying out the stories of Lincoln’s relationships with four key men.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 5, 2024

Full Review

Anne Brodie

What She Said

There is a vast amount of information in this doc, a wake-up call. Using Lincoln as a focus may help people accept the idea and practice of gender fluidity. Riveting.

Rated: 4/4

Oct 11, 2024

Full Review

Sean P. Means

The Movie Cricket

Those interested in seeing American history through another lens, and in hearing a discussion of why those different lenses matter, will be intrigued.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 30, 2024

Full Review

Mathew Rodriguez

them.

While the film makes incisive cuts into Lincoln’s personal life, Lover of Men ultimately has too much reverence for him, rehashing the trite characterization of the man as an untouchable political demigod.

Sep 20, 2024

Full Review

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Al W

Seeing the letters written between Lincoln and others as well as some 3rd party accounts made the difference. The opinions of experts not so much.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/09/24

Full Review

Ricky E

Fascinating untold history that explains a lot about the history of the US and the Nation's view on sexuality. A must see for everyone!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/09/24

Full Review

Marshall

Coolest movie ever. Worth the two hour drive.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/08/24

Full Review

Daniel K

Very informative and beyond compelling that Lincoln was indeed a lover of men.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/08/24

Full Review

Joseph S

The documentary goes beyond the agreed upon belief by many historians that Abraham Lincoln had intimate relations with men and women to detail the development of harmful sexual and gender defining roles created in the 1900s by scientists that did not previously exist nor were ever felt to be harmful, distasteful, or unnatural. While there evidence of Lincolns involvement with men is minimal, its not doubt fairly concrete. The ultimate question asked by the film is, would you still idolize Lincoln if that meant accepting that he was attracted and slept with men?

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/08/24

Full Review

Jaffrie G

Excellent portrayal of Abraham Lincolns duality , its influence on his personal ideals regarding slavery, and the changing public perception of human sexuality, gender and gender fluidity over the centuries

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/08/24

Full Review

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Shaun Peterson

Director

Shaun Peterson

Writer

Joshua Koffman

Writer

Robert Rosenheck

Writer

Grace Leeson

Writer

Robert Rosenheck

Producer

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Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Lover of Men examines the intimate life of America's most consequential president, Abraham Lincoln. 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 nineteenth 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.

Director: Shaun Peterson
Producer: Robert Rosenheck
Screenwriter: Shaun Peterson, Joshua Koffman, Robert Rosenheck, Grace Leeson
Distributor: Special Occasion Studios
Production Co: Special Occasion Studios
Genre: Documentary, Biography, History, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 6, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 1h 41m

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