It has been speculated that the 15th President of the United States, James Buchanan (1791-1868), was the nation's first gay president.
Unfortunately, Buchanan is often ranked one of the worst commanders-in-chief in U.S. history, namely because of his inability to act in the face of secession.
The fact that he may have been asexual, bisexual, or homosexual is one of the few things people remember him for.
Much has been made of his close relationship with William Rufus King (1786-1853), an Alabama senator who would go on to become vice president under President Franklin Pierce. The two lived together in a Washington for 10 years until King departed for France and attended social functions together. Rufus referred to their relationship as a "communion." Andrew Jackson referred to them as "Miss Nancy" and "Aunt Fancy," the former being a euphemism of the time for an effeminate man.
After Rufus left to Paris, Buchanan wrote the following:
"I am now 'solitary and alone,' having no companion in the house with me. I have gone a wooing to several gentlemen, but have not succeeded with any one of them. I feel that it is not good for man to be alone; and should not be astonished to find myself married to some old maid who can nurse me when I am sick, provide good dinners for me when I am well, and not expect from me any very ardent or romantic affection."
When King died of tuberculosis in 1853, four years before Buchanan would ascend to the presidency, Buchanan described King as being "among the best, the purest and most consistent public men I have known."
I can picture people being horrified at the thought or sight of a man -- let alone the President of the United States -- coming out of the closet publicly. Let's remember that this was the mid-19th century -- a much more conservative time, to be sure, long before gay rights came to the fore in this country.
Buchanan must have felt that bringing his presumed homosexuality to light might undermine his political career. If he were alive today, he'd see that the world has changed immensely since those pre-Civil War days. Politicians, celebrities, and athletes are coming out freely like never before.
Does that mean the U.S. is ready for a gay president now? Considering that the first black president in U.S. history is nearing the end of his second time in office and the first female president might be waiting in the wings, you never know.
Did you know who Buchanan was before reading this post? Do you think the U.S. might have a gay president in the near future?
Unfortunately, Buchanan is often ranked one of the worst commanders-in-chief in U.S. history, namely because of his inability to act in the face of secession.
The fact that he may have been asexual, bisexual, or homosexual is one of the few things people remember him for.
Much has been made of his close relationship with William Rufus King (1786-1853), an Alabama senator who would go on to become vice president under President Franklin Pierce. The two lived together in a Washington for 10 years until King departed for France and attended social functions together. Rufus referred to their relationship as a "communion." Andrew Jackson referred to them as "Miss Nancy" and "Aunt Fancy," the former being a euphemism of the time for an effeminate man.
After Rufus left to Paris, Buchanan wrote the following:
"I am now 'solitary and alone,' having no companion in the house with me. I have gone a wooing to several gentlemen, but have not succeeded with any one of them. I feel that it is not good for man to be alone; and should not be astonished to find myself married to some old maid who can nurse me when I am sick, provide good dinners for me when I am well, and not expect from me any very ardent or romantic affection."
When King died of tuberculosis in 1853, four years before Buchanan would ascend to the presidency, Buchanan described King as being "among the best, the purest and most consistent public men I have known."
I can picture people being horrified at the thought or sight of a man -- let alone the President of the United States -- coming out of the closet publicly. Let's remember that this was the mid-19th century -- a much more conservative time, to be sure, long before gay rights came to the fore in this country.
Buchanan must have felt that bringing his presumed homosexuality to light might undermine his political career. If he were alive today, he'd see that the world has changed immensely since those pre-Civil War days. Politicians, celebrities, and athletes are coming out freely like never before.
Does that mean the U.S. is ready for a gay president now? Considering that the first black president in U.S. history is nearing the end of his second time in office and the first female president might be waiting in the wings, you never know.
Did you know who Buchanan was before reading this post? Do you think the U.S. might have a gay president in the near future?
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