James Buchanan - our first gay President?

[SoSad]

There's no way to know for sure, but this is rather interesting:

In 19th Century Washington, D.C., it was not unusual for Members of Congress to room together in boarding houses while Congress was in session. Many political deals were debated and decided in Washington’s boarding houses which were set up to appeal to a Congressman’s need for prepared meals and affordable housing. Buchanan, however, was a fairly wealthy man for his age and time period. The affordable housing that resulted from taking on a roommate wasn’t a necessity for Buchanan. It was a choice. And, instead of living with a variety of different colleagues over the years, Buchanan lived with one — Alabama Senator William Rufus DeVane King — for fifteen years.

The close relationship between Buchanan and King raised eyebrows even in their own time. Contemporaries referred to them as “Siamese twins”. Andrew Jackson called Buchanan and King “Aunt Fancy” and “Miss Nancy” respectively. President Polk’s law partner, Aaron Brown, went further, referring to King as “Mr. Buchanan’s wife”. The relationship between Buchanan and King was interrupted from time-to-time by each man’s foreign service (Buchanan as Minister to Russia during Jackson’s Presidency; King as Minister to France during Polk’s).

[Baltimatt]

This has been alluded to before:

James Buchanan beat him out at being the first gay president (that is, if Obama were gay)

In that thread I posted this link: http://lindholm.jp/chinf_buc.html

[SoSad]

This has been alluded to before:



In that thread I posted this link: http://lindholm.jp/chinf_buc.html

That's pretty much the same information I have read. I'm not making any references to Obama though. None whatsoever, this is just about Buchanan.

[RIKMAN]

Buchanan gay, Lincoln bi... Obama ...I think this is old news.

[Cameron]

Coleman broke off the engagement in 1819 and died shortly thereafter, likely by suicide. Buchanan was devastated by Coleman’s death and was shunned by Coleman’s family who blamed him for Ann’s demise. At that time, Buchanan vowed to never marry and he retained Ann Coleman’s letters for the remainder of his life.

It is possible that Buchanan was so devastated by the death of his first love that he couldn’t imagine spending his life with another woman. However, that doesn’t explain why he spent so much of his life with another man.

I'm not sure I get why any of this this needs explaining.

They lived together while they were in Congress.

It's a practice still carried on today -- regardless of wealth.

[soulflower]

Kind of reminds me of John McCain and Lindsey Graham

[octoburn]

It's apparently true. I found the following quote from a 19th century newspaper ~

And might I inquire, how goes the economy with your “boy” Buchanan as the president? Or is he perhaps too busy enjoying spice cake after pitching horseshoes with his “body man” Ambassador King?

[SoSad]

Buchanan gay, Lincoln bi... Obama ...I think this is old news.

It's very old news. That's why I started the thread; to make a point.

[Terry K]

It's apparently true. I found the following quote from a 19th century newspaper ~

And might I inquire, how goes the economy with your “boy” Buchanan as the president? Or is he perhaps too busy enjoying spice cake after pitching horseshoes with his “body man” Ambassador King?

Has any other President had a "body man"? What the H is a "body man" anyway?

[LarryN]

Has any other President had a "body man"? What the H is a "body man" anyway?

http://bit.ly/VVtdNG