Queerguru’s Ris Fatah reviews LAVENDER MEN : a drama that honours the legendary rumour that Abraham Lincoln had a gay affair

The plus-size, fem-presenting, non-binary Taffeta (Roger Q Mason) is working as a stage manager on a lacklustre play about ex-US President Abraham Lincoln, showing to half-empty houses at a small American theatre. They have a huge unrequited crush on the play’s director (Philippe Bowgen), which makes them work super-hard and quietly absorb negative energy from both cast members and annoying members of the audience. Taffeta is looking for love and cruises online during quiet moments in the performance. A hot member of the audience is online too, although Taffeta’s hopes are dashed when he later, post-show, finds the guy in the arms of one of the show’s actors. Their evening then goes from bad to worse as the actor playing Abraham Lincoln (Ted Rooney) then sexually forces himself on Taffeta, before verbally abusing them when he is rejected.  This lost evening, seemingly the latest in a line of many, triggers Taffeta to retreat into their own mind, and later, when alone in the theatre, they create a fantasy version of the play.

So begins Lavender Men, an interesting study of loneliness, low self-esteem and rejection. The fantasy play Taffeta creates is played out in detail, and honours the legendary rumour that Abraham Lincoln had a gay affair with Elmer Ellsworth, his legal clerk. Two handsome, sexy men, Pete Ploszek and Alex Esola, respectively play Lincoln and Ellsworth, with Mason playing all the supporting roles in their lives, everyone   /thing from a tree to a cleaner to the President’s wife. As the evening draws on Taffeta, however, comes to terms with the fact that even in their dreams, they are playing a bit part in other people’s romances rather than creating their own story with a happy ending.

Directed by Lovell Holder and written by him and star Roger Q Mason, Lavender Men’s refreshingly unusual format of a play within a film works well. The film’s themes are well-trodden and reflect a queer hierarchy – in some countries – that favours white, muscular gay men over other queer people. Despite the familiar territory the narrative is fresh, sexy, and engaging. We want to reach into the screen and hug poor Taffeta, who really doesn’t help themselves. The combination of modern non-binary Taffeta mixed in with the historical tale of Lincoln and his male lover is faultless. Mason is excellent, their heartfelt performance clearly passing on their real-life lived experience to the audience. Originally created as a play, the screen version is a step-up. Chin up Taffeta, we love you. Own your plus-size fem-ness!  You are far more fabulous than you realise!

Queerguru’s Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant  (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah