Former President Barack Obama once shared his thoughts on same-sex relations in a letter to a former girlfriend, Alex McNear, according to biographer David Garrow.
This revelation comes from a letter seen by Garrow, which was later acquired by Emory University. Though Emory announced the acquisition of Obama’s letters, it did not mention the specific content pertaining to the topic of homosexuality.
The UK’s Daily Mail has explored various facets of Obama’s romantic life. Their reports mention that he dated Genevieve Cook, with whom he allegedly took cocaine. Post their breakup, Cook purportedly dated one of Obama’s close friends.
Obama also had a significant relationship with Sheila Miyoshi Jager, to whom he proposed twice and was turned down on both occasions. Garrow’s book suggests Obama continued seeing Jager while dating his future wife, Michelle.
Jager recalls Obama’s ambitions of becoming president and how he felt the need to “fully identify as African American,” which played a part in his decision to marry Michelle. Further, the Daily Mail highlighted that Obama considered a gay relationship during his college years, citing an influential assistant professor, Lawrence Goldyn, at Occidental College.
Garrow’s book elaborates on Obama’s relationship with Goldyn and how it impacted his understanding of gay issues. In a 2009 interview with “The Advocate,” Obama spoke highly of Goldyn, the first openly gay authority figure he knew, and expressed gratitude for the understanding he gained from their friendship.
