commentary on president abraham lincoln's sexuality has been documented since the early 20th century. attention to the sexuality of public figures has been heightened since the gay rights movement of the later 20th century. in his 1926 biography of lincoln, carl sandburg alluded to the early relationship of lincoln and his friend joshua fry speed as having "a streak of lavender, and spots soft as may violets". "streak of lavender" was slang in the period for an effeminate man, and later connoted homosexuality. sandburg did not elaborate on this comment.