J. Edgar: A powerful Homosexual

Since he took over the Bureau of Investigation (known today as the FBI) in 1924, people have speculated about J. Edgar Hoover’s sexual orientation. The new bio-drama J. Edgar depicts Hoover in a new light. Before the film was released, many critics believed the movie would be a portrait of Hoover as a gay man due to the fact that it was written by Dustin Lance Black, who also wrote Milk, the biopic about Harvey Milk. In actuality, the film depicts Hoover as the second most powerful man in the United States government, just below the president. There are, however, gay undertones through out the film. Although it was never verified that Hoover was gay, snippets of gossip are joined by the facts, “He never married, lived with his mother until she died, and had a close lifelong friendship with Clyde Tolson, the tall and handsome bachelor who inherited his estate” (Deccan Chronicle). It is my opinion that Hoover was in fact a gay man, but was to ashamed of his identity to accept himself for who he was.

J. Edgar Hoover was born on New Year’s Day in 1895. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, homosexuality was still seen as a mental disorder that could be reversed with treatment (D’Emilio). To obtain treatment, the patient first had to admit they were homosexual, which Hoover never did. Homosexuals were also not accepted as whole person. Hoover refused to hire women, blacks and homosexuals as FBI agents (Deccan Chronicle). Although Hoover seemed to be homophobic, he was also sure enough of his power that he sometimes held hands with Tolson in restaurants and shared rooms with him when they traveled. In the J. Edgar film, Hoover’s mother gives him a speech about she does not want a son as a “daffodil.” Hoover’s mother uses daffodil as a metaphor to homosexuality. She does not want her son to be seen as delicate, she wants him to be strong and powerful; something gay men can not be. Hoover’s mother made it clear that she would not have a son who was gay.

To hide his shame, Hoover kept secret files of government officials and families of officials that he believed were homosexual. His most famous file was of Eleanor Roosevelt and her alleged lesbian affair with a secretary. Besides being a disappointment to his mother, Hoover also hid his sexuality to keep his job. Barbara Smith wrote, the life-destroying impact of lost jobs, friendships, and family is the work of homophobia (Smith, 100). Although he was a closeted man, Hoover lived in constant fear of being “found out.” The film also tells the story of Tolson and Hoover’s close relationship. The pair ate dinner and lunch together everyday, vacationed together, and worked closely on cases. During on of their vacations, as depicted in the film, Hoover tells Tolson about a woman he wishes to marry and Tolson becomes jealous; he destroys the hotel room and then gets into a physical fight with Hoover when ended in a kiss. Hoover becomes outraged about the kiss, but then expresses how much he needs Tolson in his work life and personal life.

Although J. Edgar Hoover was the second most powerful man in the U.S. Government during his time as the director of the FBI, he was fearful that others would see him as weak if he announced he was homosexual. He did not feel safe or comfortable in his power position to be himself. Only a few people in Hoover’s life knew the real John Edgar Hoover. Trust was very important to Hoover. Those who knew him well, gained his trust, and were by his side until he died in 1972.

Works Cited

D’Emilio, John. “Homosexuality and American Society: An Overview” from Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities in the United States 1940-1970. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1983.

Smith, Barbara. “Homophobia: Why Bring it Up?” from The Lesbian and Gay Studies Reader. ed Henry Ablelove et al New York & London: Routledge,1993.

"J. Edgar Review: A Daffodil out of Bureau Drawer | Deccan Chronicle." Deccan Chronicle. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. <http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/movie-reviews/j-edgar-review-daffodil-out-bureau-drawer-809>.