Kenneth Sherrilla pioneering political scientist who was also the first out gay elected official in New York historydied in early December at age 81 from surgical complications, Gay City News reported.
He is survived by his husband/partner of 56 years, Gerald Otte.
Sherrill had been the longtime chair of the political science department at Hunter College and became chair of the Hunter College Senate, where he advocated for campaigns to diversify curricula and staff.
In 2017, the American Political Science Association (APSA)where Sherrill co-founded the LGBT caucus in 1987established the Kenneth Sherrill Prize for the best doctoral dissertation proposal for an empirical work on LGBTQ+ topics by graduate students and to broaden recognition of this work within political science. According to APSA's Political Science Now, Executive Director Steve Smith said, "Ken was a wonderful person and a transformational scholar in the discipline. He pioneered the study of LGBTQ politics over 50 years ago and mentored countless students and faculty over the course of his long career. He will be greatly missed, but he leaves an enduring legacy in his outstanding research and his many, many friends, colleagues, and students who were inspired and mentored by him."
On the Manhattan Democrats website, County Leader Keith L.T. Wright stated, "On behalf pf Democrats across the county, I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the esteemed former District Leader Ken Sherrill. He was a pioneer and scholar, and a trusted friend we will miss dearly."
Andrew Davis