re Lincoln, it wasn't the fashion to "come out" in his day. none of us can know what someone did in the bedroom a hundred years ago or last week. and while enlightened catters here don't care, many people do, including those who experience prejudice. and that includes people here who are not out, who are very talented, and who choose not to be out because they just want to be treated with respect.

Peopel's standards of proof can vary, too.                                 
closet gay