Abraham Lincoln's life reimagined in film about US president's 'gay relationship'

A new feature film , based on the critically acclaimed stage play Lavender Men, is set to premiere in select theaters on May 2. The film offers a reimagined glimpse into Abraham Lincoln 's personal life through the perspective of queer history and theatrical daydreaming. The film, directed by Lovell Holder and co-written with Roger Q.

Mason, is an adaptation of Mason's 2022 play of the same name. Mason, who also features in the film, portrays Taffeta, a theatrical stage manager who becomes disenchanted with the play they're working on - one focused on Lincoln - and drifts into a vivid fantasy envisioning the 16th president's speculated gay relationship. Holder shared: "I became acquainted with Lavender Men when our genius writer/performer Roger Q.



Mason (they/them), one of my dearest friends since we were teenagers, shared an early draft of their original play in 2019,". He added: "I never imagined in 2025 we'd officially release the feature film adaptation.", reports the Express US .

Co-starring Pete Ploszek and Alex Esola, the film was produced by Holder, Mason, Mia Chang, and Mia Ellis. According to the director, it was filmed over ten days on a minimal budget. Holder further commented: "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,".

Mason, who delivers a standout performance that ties together the film's intimate and societal messages, remarked: "I hope this film serves as a rally 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.

" Released by Pride Flix, an imprint of Entertainment Squad, Lavender Men joins a recent surge of creative works reexamining Lincoln's history with a queer perspective. The previous year saw the release of the documentary Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln, which delved into similar themes and faced backlash from certain conservative circles on social media. Simultaneously, the Broadway comedy Oh, Mary! is offering audiences a humorous take on Lincoln, depicting him as using his wife Mary Todd Lincoln as a cover while she chases her cabaret aspirations.

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