College of Political Knowledge
Subject: American History
I have caught my readers up on the international situations that need to be watched and now I would like to educate them with some historical events……..Almost every American knows the Constitution, well the parts that interest them, but what do they know about our presidents especially some of the earlier ones?
America has elected its first black president and to some he is a non-American citizen, a Muslim and even gay…….beyond that does anyone think that this country will ever elect a gay person as president?
That may be a trick question. There is a possibility that we have already done so……and his name was James Buchanan.
Some historians believe that he was gay….he was never married and shared an apartment with another man…….an Alabama senator named William Rufus King……………several historians who believe that James Buchanan, who served from 1857 to 1861, was in fact our first gay president. He is the only president to have remained a bachelor throughout his life. (His niece, Harriet Lane, handled the duties of First Lady during his term in office.) He shared a home with William Rufus King, an Alabama Senator and Vice President under Buchanan’s predecessor, Franklin Pierce. Their relationship was reportedly so close that Andrew Jackson and other contemporaries referred to them as ”Miss Nancy” and “Aunt Fancy”.
King was assigned to Paris in 1844 and after his departure Buchanan wrote a letter to a friend about how he felt without King near by…….
“I am now ‘solitary and alone,’ having no companion in the house with me. I have gone a wooing to several gentlemen, but have not succeeded with any one of them. I feel that it is not good for man to be alone; and should not be astonished to find myself married to some old maid who can nurse me when I am sick, provide good dinners for me when I am well, and not expect from me any very ardent or romantic affection.”
Was Buchanan gay? There are report that he was engaged at one point and that he wooed several ladies but none ever corralled him in wedlock…….we may never know for sure…that is until someone learns how to use a time machine…….it will be almost impossible to be certain for Buchanan had all his correspondence destroyed at his death…..losing all that info to the flames of time……..
“he was never married and shared an apartment with another man”
Well, yes, that would kind of say, gay.
Just a bit…the letter was pretty convincing but then it may be speak that I do not recognize….
Very convincing.
It has always been an interesting “what if” for me…..
Sounds like he was but look at this picture of Franklin Pierce and tell me you don’t think he was gay too. 🙂
My opinion is…yes.
It should never even be an issue!
I agree but since there are so many claiming that Obama is gay in some way of another….I just had to post…..
I am tired of the whole thing.
Coming from 30 years of living/working in California, many of my friends were/are gay.
When will this ever stop being an issue?
What difference does it make?
Could we care about the important things?
Apparently we cannot think about more important issues…..I agree…personally, I do not care what one’s preference is….that is a personal decision and is none of my business….
AMEN!
Reserving comment for now Chuq.
In appearance only…..since there are very few written docs of his left…may never know for sure…..
Being accused of being anti-gay because that is what you believe just as wrong. Since we are all equal I shouldn’t have to be berated for not being pro-gay and vice-versa.
You can’t tell a book by its cover. Appearances can be decieving.
I agree…..you should not be forced to live by my beliefs or me yours……like I say…a personal decision and none of my business….
Agree