While working as a stage manager on a play about Abraham Lincoln, Taffeta escapes into a theatrical fantasia of their own making. They imagine a secret romance between Lincoln and Elmer Ellsworth, a young soldier who would become the first casualty of the Civil War. In Taffeta’s dreamworld, Lincoln is recast as a suave audience member, while Elmer is played by their hopefully-soon-to-be boyfriend. As the imagined affair unfolds, Taffeta inserts themself into the narrative, rewriting history in defiance of its erasures. These interjections sometimes lead us backstage, where Taffeta struggles with rejection, unrequited love, and the discomfort of navigating white-dominated queer spaces. Their fantasies clash with painful real-world encounters—walking in on lovers, being dismissed by a director they admire, and confronting an aging actor clinging to outdated ideas, sexual assault, eating disorders, and more. As the line between reality and imagination dissolves, Taffeta’s dream threatens to unravel, forcing them to face the loneliness and longing they tried to escape through the fantasia.
Unapologetically woke and 400% queer, Lavender Men kicks off hard and doesn’t stop. Lavender Men blends surrealism, theater, and queer desire into a layered reimagining of love, legacy, and identity. Like a slam poem in motion, we get way too deep into Taffeta’s life and traumas, exploring intersections of society and human reality often swept under the rug by visual media. This is definitely a film for people who love theater, as the entire production (almost) never leaves the theater building. Some intense acting and witty minimalist set design help set the scene, while Taffeta’s outrageous costumes turn the whole film into an extended drag show. These aspects will certainly be a bit too in-your-face for some patrons; others will love this celebration of queerness wrapped in a valuable and interesting bit of social and historical analysis. Minus a few points for some moments of style over substance, plus a few points for creativity and doing an unbelievable job with such a small set and budget, and you get a film that belongs in any library Pride Month collection. Highly recommended.
Why should public libraries add this LGBTQ historical comedy to their collections?
This film offers a rare blend of historical reimagination, queer identity, and theatrical storytelling that is both entertaining and deeply thought-provoking. Its unapologetically queer lens provides necessary representation, particularly for patrons and students interested in the intersections of gender, sexuality, race, and American history. The film's experimental structure—set almost entirely within a theater—invites discussions around performance, authorship, and historical erasure. For academic libraries, it's a compelling title for courses in theater studies, queer theory, American studies, and media analysis. For public libraries, it adds bold, creative programming to Pride Month and beyond, appealing to both cinephiles and curious casual viewers.
Is this LGBTQ comedy a good fit for community screenings and Pride Month programming?
Absolutely. With its vibrant costumes, witty dialogue, and layered narrative, this film is both entertaining and conversation-starting—making it ideal for community events. It shines in a group setting, especially when paired with a post-screening discussion or panel about queer history, representation, or theatrical storytelling. While it tackles serious issues such as marginalization, trauma, and identity, it does so with humor and visual flair, making it accessible without losing depth. Its boldness may challenge some viewers, but it will resonate powerfully with others, offering a valuable opportunity for inclusive engagement during Pride Month or other LGBTQ+ themed programming.
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