Lavender Men, a film adaptation of Roger Q. Mason’s stage play, raises intriguing questions about Abraham Lincoln’s sexuality, delving into the possibility that the 16th president could have had male suitors. The trailer for the film, which premiered recently, teases an exploration of Lincoln’s personal life, shifting away from traditional narratives about the president’s marriage to Mary Todd and his tragic assassination by John Wilkes Booth.
The movie, which is based on Mason’s critically acclaimed play that debuted in 2022 at Los Angeles’ Skylight Theater Company, examines the complexities of Lincoln’s relationships through a fictionalized lens. The screenplay was co-written by Mason and the film’s director, Lovell Holder. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Holder reflected on the journey of transforming the stage play into a feature film: “I never imagined in 2025 we’d officially release the feature film adaptation,” he said. “This film was a genuine labor of love between close friends and trusted collaborators, shot over 10 days on a shoestring budget with adrenaline and passion for this story as everyone’s primary motivator.”
Holder went on to express his hope that the film would serve as an important cultural statement: “I hope this film serves as a rallying cry, a fountain of joy, and a grounding of purpose for the LGBTQIA+ movement in the U.S. and abroad at a time when we need stories which affirm, empower, and embolden us more than ever.”
This is not the first time Lincoln’s sexuality has been scrutinized in the entertainment industry. Last year, the documentary Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln sparked heated debate over whether Lincoln was gay, with figures like Elon Musk and other conservatives expressing their disapproval. Similarly, the comedic play Oh Mary! imagines Lincoln hiding his sexuality behind his marriage to Mary Todd, with her yearning to become a cabaret singer.
In the Lavender Men trailer, viewers are introduced to Taffeta (played by Roger Q. Mason), a frustrated stage manager involved in an Abe Lincoln play. As Taffeta’s mind wanders, they create a fantasy about Lincoln having male suitors, particularly his legal assistant, Elmer Ellsworth. The trailer features Taffeta portraying multiple characters in their mental stage play, from an army cadet to Mary Todd Lincoln and even a tree. The trailer culminates with Taffeta’s powerful statement: “You can be anything. You can be anyone. I promise you, anything is possible.”
Lavender Men is set for a limited theatrical release on May 2nd, with screenings in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and New York.
Related topics:
First Look at ‘Downton Abbey: The Grand’ Finale Trailer
‘Primitive War’ Teaser Trailer Unleashes Dinosaurs in Vietnam
Universal Unveils ‘The Black Phone 2’ Trailer at CinemaCon