Chapter 5

Wyatt's first "date" with Mackenzie is cut short, and when he finally cracks open his book on Lincoln for his book report, his world is rocked – primary source letters reveal that Abraham was in love with Joshua! Content Advisory: QUEER AS A FIVE-DOLLAR BILL is intended for listeners (and readers) ages 13 and up. The main character experiences moments of bullying and homophobia – as well as support and pride – on a journey that’s life-changing and empowering. Additional Links: Download the evidence that Abraham Lincoln was in love with another man: the Lincoln Chapter of NO WAY, THEY WERE GAY at https://www.leewind.org/ If you’re in crisis and need to talk with someone, reach out to the great folks at the Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ You can also call them at 1-866-488-7386 or text them at 678-678 Citations for this chapter: Mackenzie brings up the séances held in the White House while Lincoln was President. The séances are discussed on pages 40-41 of Lincoln at Home: Two Glimpses of Abraham Lincoln’s Family Life. Wyatt reads the whole 70 pages of Joshua Fry Speed: Lincoln’s Most Intimate Friend. The October 5, 1842 letter where Abe asks Joshua, “are you now in feeling as well as judgment glad that you are married as you are?” is on pages 54-55, and is also found on pages 161-162 of Abraham Lincoln: His Speeches And Writings, Edited by Roy P. Basler, Preface by Carl Sandburg, De Capo Press paperback edition, Perseus Books Group, Cleveland, Ohio, 2001. The excerpt explaining how Abe met Joshua, wanting to buy stuff for a bed from Joshua’s store, is taken from pages 9-10 of Joshua Fry Speed: Lincoln’s Most Intimate Friend. That same book includes the five letters Wyatt noticed Abe wrote Joshua that ended with the sign-offs, “Ever Yours,” “As Ever,” “Yours Forever,” “As Ever, Your Friend” and “Yours Forever” – on pages 53, 52, 50, 49 and 48. Wyatt also refers to their B&B’s ‘President Abraham Lincoln Timeline,’ and the timeline dates and quotes I used are from the Abraham Lincoln Chronology (Historical Documents Co., 1993.) I purchased my copy at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine, Redlands, California in April 2011. Their timeline was “reproduced on antiqued parchment that looks and feels old,” which inspired Wyatt’s antiquing chore. Martin’s video song about Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, the gay man who helped the U.S. win the Revolutionary War and who “single-handedly turned a militia, consisting mostly of farmers, into a well-trained, disciplined and professional army that was able to stand musket-to-musket combat with the British” is also based on real history. You can read more about von Steuben, his being gay and his role in U.S. history here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nicholas-ferroni/american-military-history_b_1606530.html Credits: This episode of QUEER AS A FIVE-DOLLAR BILL: THE PODCAST was written, produced, and edited by Lee Wind. Lee is the author of QUEER AS A FIVE-DOLLAR BILL and NO WAY, THEY WERE GAY?, among other titles for kids and teens. You can contact Lee at [email protected] The QUEER AS A FIVE-DOLLAR BILL audiobook, including the chapter heard in this episode, was narrated by Michael Crouch. The podcast theme music is by Doug Pettibone. Our creative consultant is Matthew Winner.