LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a recently discovered letter from 1982, former president Barack Obama allegedly offered a revealing glimpse into his thoughts on sexuality during his youth. The letter, addressed to his then-girlfriend Alexandra "Alex" McNear, has come to public attention despite certain parts being redacted.
Penned during his time at Occidental College in Los Angeles, the letter was allegedly written when Obama was 21. Addressing McNear, who was his girlfriend then, he delved into the topic of homosexuality with unusual frankness.
"In regard to homosexuality, I must say that I believe this is an attempt to remove oneself from the present, a refusal perhaps to perpetuate the endless farce of earthly life. You see, I make love to men daily, but in the imagination," he allegedly stated in the letter, per the NY Post.
Who is Alex McNear?
McNear is a writer who focusses on short plays centered around humorously portraying catastrophes, each featuring no more than two characters.
McNear specializes in developmental and content editing, focusing on fiction, nonfiction, and memoirs. Her expertise encompasses editing various works, including novels, memoirs and essay collections.
McNear often collaborates with first-time authors who are grappling with content or structural challenges, aiding them in refining their work. Additionally, she has been involved in co-writing commercial novels as a ghostwriter.
McNear has also contributed articles to publications like The Southampton and the East Hampton Press, where she covered local town and village board news.
Where is Alex McNear now?
McNear was born in Racine, Wisconsin, and currently lives in Sag Harbor, Long Island. She was previously married to Bob Bozic, a former Serbian boxer, in 1987. She is currently married to Dr Robert Stein, who is a child psychotherapist based in Sag Harbor.
McNear is the daughter of Suzanne McNear, who was an editor for Playboy Magazine's fiction features during the '60s and '70s. Following her time at Playboy, Suzanne collaborated with well-known figures like Paul Theroux and the late South African novelist Nadine Gordimer.
Alex McNear and Barack Obama dated in 1979
McNear and Obama were in a relationship during his time at Occidental College (1979-1981). McNear shared that she found Obama's intellect intriguing, describing him as someone who thoroughly explored ideas before arriving at thoughtful conclusions.
A year after Obama transferred to Columbia University in New York in 1981, they reconnected over dinner. "We sat and talked and ate and drank wine. Or at least I drank wine. I think he drank something stronger," McNear told David Maraniss, who wrote 'Barack Obama: The Story'.
"It was one of those dark, old Italian restaurants that don’t exist in New York anymore. It was the kind of place where they leave you alone. I remember thinking how happy I felt just talking to him, that I could talk to him for hours," McNear further said.
McNear added, "We walked slowly back to my apartment, on 90th, and said good-bye. After that we started spending much more time together."
When McNear returned to Occidental, the couple attempted to maintain a long-distance relationship through letters. Unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful, and the relationship ultimately came to an end.
