Week Two

To embrace your role as first, or not to embrace being first

Some “first” candidates fully embrace the historical significance of the race and shape much of their campaign theme around it. Others tend to shy away from it and treat the issue in a more matter-of-fact manner. For those who are the first openly LGBT, HIV positive, or other candidates with a non-immediately obvious trait for a particular office, there is the added decision about how to disclose the fact if it is not otherwise known to the electorate.

In this class, through first-hand experience, we will discuss the long held political belief that embracing the “first” nature of a campaign or candidate is a de facto sign of weakness.

Guest speaker: New York State Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, the first openly LGBT official elected in New York State.

Room: L166, HKS

***All study groups are off-the-record and not for media coverage***