When will we be able to judge historical figures based soley on their legacy and their contributions to society without salaciously delving into their personal or private lives??
What matter would it possibly make that Lincoln was bisexual (what's worse - a mentally ill, bi-polar wife? or being gay? ummmm), or that Eleanor Roosevelt was a lesbian, as opposed to FDR being in a wheelchair? None of these issues had anything to do whatsoever with their respective contributions or legacy.
It's every bit as outrageous and unacceptable as reviling JFK and Clinton for their infidelities (Were they stupid? Yes. Affect the Presidency? Not so much, and certainly no more than what goes on in day to day life - grow up people. What ultimately affected their legacy was the media inquisition into these issues).
I'm much more concerned about the policy issues and day-to-day decisions that they made/make, and in may cases are influenced by, religious and moral beliefs and tendencies as opposed to sexual ones, and I do not think that is acceptable either - perhaps even less so. (yes - this is messy - so is art). And yet, this great country was based on the fact that those freedoms are accepted, recognized, and protected. When will we add sexual freedoms and rights to that list? Perhaps the most private and least threatening of all? I'm just saying.
Unless a physical condition, affliction, or relationship, can be conclusively SHOWN or PROVEN to have affected or significantly influenced someone's ability to carry out their office. LEAVE THEM ALONE.
And have some respect for the dead while you're at it.
We have an odd fascination with putting people on pedestals just so that when we can eventually tear them to shreds. Politicians, entertainers, it doesn't really matter, what's important isn't so much the truth as it is the judgement that they, despite their wealth or power or fame, are actually bad/horrible/disgusting human beings. People tuned into the OJ trial not because they wanted Nicole to be at peace, but because they wanted to be able to say to themselves, "Hey, I might just be a (blue/white)-collar (guy/gal) working at a (construction site/cubicle/restaraunt) but at least I'm better than OJ."
At the same time, however, I don't think history's judgement of Abe Lincoln will be any different by the revelation that he may have been gay. It may not be percieved as the most flattering historical revelation about the man, but the people who hate Lincoln already have amble reason for their cause.
So then the question becomes "Why tell people that Lincoln was gay?" Or that Eleanor was a lesbian (was she?)? I think because its important to understand the totality of a person's character, and also to serve as a reminder that the past was not so simple as some would like to believe.
Snay: the first time I entertained the thought of defecting to Canada was when the OJ trial was broadcast on E:The Entertainment Network. Not a legal process...early reality TV. Oy VEY!
It also has to be said that in the world as it is presently constituted it is good for gays and lesbians to be able to brandish yet another icon in the face of the bigots. "So gays are the scum of the earth are they. And you would include Abraham Lincoln in that?"
And yes a person's sexuality is part of the whole picture. We all live after all A.F. (Anno Freudii). The tedious part of it comes when we get into the "Oh yes he did!", "Oh no he didn't!" Oh yes..." part of the process.
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