According to a just published book, Old Buck: Sexuality, Secrets and the Civil War, Buchanan was definitely homosexual, and his homosexual relationship with his long-time lover, Alabama Senator and Vice-President William R. D. King, cemented his support for slavery and its expansion. His homosexuality was used by his political opponents to influence his administration, with disastrous results for the country. If anyone has read the book, or has opinions on this issue, this would be a great forum to discuss this.