Was eleanor roosevelt really gay
Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok
These photos come from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum. They all fall under public domain, as per the organization's website.
About the couple:
Eleanor Roosevelt's name may ring a familiar bell for history lovers. She was the First Lady of the Combined States and wife to President Franklin D. Roosevelt! Therefore, it may be surprising to learn of her long rumored romantic relationship with Lorena Hickok.
The women met when Hickok, a prominent news writer, was tasked to compose articles about the President and his wife. It is thought that the two soon caught feelings for each other, and Hickok left the newspaper because she feared she was compromising her journalistic integrity4. However, the women didn't separate after she left her job -- instead, she moved into the White House and started working as a staff member4.
For obvious reasons (Roosevelt's marriage and homophobia), their romantic relationship was never publically confirmed. However, the two women did contribute a strong bond, as evidenced in their many, many letters3 -- two of which are featured
Eleanor Roosevelt and journalist Lorena Hickok's love affair addressed in novel White Houses
Former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt is remembered as an activist, diplomat and the wife of former US president Franklin D Roosevelt.
But she is seldom idea of as a lover.
In a new novel, American author Amy Bloom explores the rumoured real-life partnership between Eleanor Roosevelt and female journalist Lorena Hickok.
In media reports and history books, the two women have often been described as "close friends".
But Bloom, who has pored through the thousands of letters the women exchanged, says there is no disbelieve they were in love.
"We have 3, letters between them which are heated and passionate and exactly the kind of letters you expect lovers who are still in the first blush of a romance to exchange with each other," she says.
The letters began in and continued for three decades. At some points in their relationship the women were sending each other two letters a day.
They have been publicly present since the s.
In one, Roosevelt writes, "I ache to hold you nearby. Your ring is of great comfort. I see at it and consider she does love me, or I woul
Was Eleanor Roosevelt a Lesbian?
In Bros, which may or may not be the first major gay rom-com, Billy Eichner’s character is working on another great first, opening the first major LGBTQ history museum. As part of that job, he spends much of the film discussing whether various historical figures were gay, including Abraham Lincoln and the ancient Egyptian pairing of Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum. (In both of those cases it depends who you seek, and what you represent by “gay.”) Those of us who haven’t been watching The First Lady on Showtime (which is a lot of us) may be surprised to hear Eleanor Roosevelt among these names. In reality, at one point, the movie refers to her outright as “lesbian first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.” She was? In order to get some answers, Slate spoke to Susan Quinn, author of Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady. This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Heather Schwedel: I think it will be news to some people to hear the production casually describe Eleanor Roosevelt as a lesbian.
Susan Quinn: I can tell you a little bit about how I came to the conclusion that she did have a cherish affair, a very vital love affair, wit
The Love Affair Between Eleanor Roosevelt and Journalist Lorena “Hick” Hickok
In this episode of Listen, Ladies, host Maryalice Aymong talks to author Susan Quinn to discuss her fascinating manual, Eleanor and Hick: The Cherish Affair That Shaped a First Lady. Quinn&#;s prodigious research highlights Roosevelt&#;s connection with Lorena Hickok, whom she initially encountered when Hickok was working as a reporter. Their bond has been somewhat confused to history, but Quinn brings their romance and friendship to life in our interview and in the book. Her message is also set to become a TV series.
Below is an excerpt from her interview. To listen to the whole episode, download Listen, Ladies in iTunes.
Listen, Ladies (LL): Eleanor Roosevelt is acknowledged as a woman profoundly ahead of her period. She is someone who fundamentally changed the role of First Lady. She tirelessly advocated for human rights and against racism, as well as the most remote causes, prefer helping people out of poverty and supporting the military. She ultimately became the chair of the United Nations, Human Rights Commission. Beyond her widespread role, Eleanor Roosevelt was a passionate person and friend, who knew
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