Eight score and 14 years ago, Abraham Lincoln brought forth the concept of same-sex domestic bliss when he shacked up with longtime companion Joshua Speed for what seems an eternity in gay terms, a whopping four years! Were the two gentlemen sharing a bed out of necessity, as was the custom for the day, or laying the groundwork for the first charter of Log Cabin Republicans? Lincoln biographers and historians have hotly debated Lincoln's sexual proclivities through the years — perhaps only the bed bugs know. This Valentine's weekend, however, Highways Performance Space celebrates the proposition that all queers are created equal, with Abraham Lincoln's Big Gay Valentine Bash, a two-night benefit hosted by Ian MacKinnon, leader of the undead glitter art-rock collective the Discount Cruise to Hell. Expect both gritty and glam dance performances and soul from Hi-Fashion $9.99, a costumed pop spectacle; the spoken word of hip-hop queer activist DeadLee with Drew Mason and Dorian Wood; outrageous and aggressive comedy and performance from Drew Droege, John Cantwell of the Nellie Olesons (with Pete Zias of Upright Citizens Brigade), and Diviana X Ingravallo; dance, both bold and beautiful, from Kevin Williamson, Tim Rubel, and belly dancer Mas.

Fri., Feb. 12, 8:30 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 13, 8:30 p.m., 2010

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