Is Lincoln A Gay In The Spielberg Movie?

Spoiler alert (though it’s actually more of a non spoiler alert).

They had a surprise screening of Steven Spielberg‘s Lincoln at the New York Film Festival the other night, showcasing the film about a pivotal period in American history regarding both war and slavery.

A friend of mine who works in the arts managed to get in and liked it, especially the acting from the males, like Daniel Day-Lewis as Honest Abe and especially Tommy Lee Jones and James Spader in vivid supporting roles.

“But do they portray Lincoln as gay (or bi)?” I wondered, knowing there was a small chance the film would go along with Larry Kramer‘s controversial research.

(Yes, the film’s screenplay was written by another fiery gay legend, Tony Kushner–who adapted the Doris Kearns Goodwin book–but Spielberg isn’t usually known for full-fledged gay themes; see the muted lesbianism in The Color Purple.)

“No,” said my friend.

“But there are very subtle suggestions–even beyond subtext.

“Very little things that seem more like actorly choices by Day-Lewis than anything in the script or direction.

But basically, no.”

Yikes.

I hate another gay contretemps.

Kramer will surely descend on the house of Kushner and make lots of trouble.

This will be the real Civil War, lol