Annie Jimenez
THAR 379
Revised Program Note
Abraham Lincoln’s Big, Gay Dance Party takes place in Menard County, Illinois in
2008; a setting where gay marriage was illegal. In 2014, Illinois joined the growing list of 36
other states that have legalized same-sex marriage. The bill was signed on the same desk that
Abraham Lincoln penned his renowned “Gettysburg Address.” For some that may pose as an
interesting fun fact; for others this historical relation holds a great amount of significance.
You may be wondering what our 16th president has anything to do with gay rights. In
2005, C.A. Tripp, wrote a book titled, “The Intimate World of Abraham Lincoln,” which
concentrated on the controversial subject of Lincoln’s potential homosexual orientation. In this
book, Tripp closely examines a few of Lincoln’s relationships with men and women, noting that
his female interactions were rather awkward while his friendships with fellow men were
suspiciously intimate. One of the most notorious relationships highlighted was his relationship
with Joshua Speed, a storeowner from Springfield, Illinois.
After hearing his campaign for the 1837 Illinois legislation, Speed introduced himself to
Lincoln when the lawyer moved to Springfield for employment opportunities. The two lived
together for 4 years and were rumored to have shared the same bed. While this act alone may not
prove anything, Abraham’s tendency to sign letters to Speed with “Yours Always” offered
further support to the homosexual theory. Tripp also suggested that Abraham’s breaking of his
engagement to Mary Todd in 1841 had something to do with Speed’s plan to move back home to
Kentucky. After the wedding was cancelled, Speed proceeded on his journey back to his
hometown and left Lincoln in a fit of depression. Nevertheless, the two would remain life-long
best friends and pen pals.
Aaron Loeb, the play’s author, credits Tripp and his proposals as some of the main
inspirations behind the script. In a 2012 interview, Loeb explained that, “when I would mention I
was interested in the topic, people would respond in hugely varied ways. Some would get really
excited, others super offended. I was fascinated that people invested so much emotion into the
intimate life of someone dead over 150 years. It became clear to me that Lincoln is so potent a
figure in our history that this question, and our reactions to it, could be a mirror into our current
and ongoing debate on the issues of gay rights.” (Watkins)
At the time of this interview, a CNN/ORC poll determined that 54% of Americans were
in favor of legalizing gay marriage, 42% opposed, and 4% undecided. Today, that same source
reports that 63% of Americans believe same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, 36% oppose,
and 1% is undecided. Our nation’s attitude towards gay rights may be progressing in favor of the
supporters due to the fact that we are taking advantage of our right to freedom of speech and
discussing the issue. Democracy is based on the notion that, as citizens, we all have the right to
our own voices and, as an audience member, you will be able to execute that freedom tonight.
So I ask that you remember to keep an open mind, embrace the experience, and most of
all, have fun. Enjoy the show!
-Annie Jimenez