Clarence Tripp

[BettyO]

I think that the assumption that Lincoln was "gay" and any other assumptions about gentlemen being gay in the Victorian era (Powell, Herold and JWB have also had this tag) is because folk don't understand the Victorian social culture.

In the 19th Century, men slept with men in the same bed if there was not enough room at a boarding or lodging house. There was seemingly nothing wrong with this other than that there was not sufficient beds for more than a certain number, so gentlemen "bunked" up with each other. It also accorded warmth in the winter time in rooms lighted with a sole fireplace. Let that fire die during the night and the room could get pretty cold! So a "bed mate" also afforded warmth in the colder seasons. Nothing wrong was viewed with that in the least, and nothing scandalous was accorded to having "bunk mates" in the Victorian era....