An old role with a new gender: Doug Emhoff becomes the first second gentleman 22 Jan, 2021 01:30 AM 6 minutes to read Vice President Kamala Harris hugged her husband, Doug Emhoff, after being sworn in. Photo / Erin Schaff, The New York Times Vice President Kamala Harris hugged her husband, Doug Emhoff, after being sworn in. Photo / Erin Schaff, The New York Times New York Times By: Hailey Fuchs Vice President Kamala Harris's husband has to define the job to suit himself — and to alter perceptions of the high-profile political spouse. Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris and the first second gentleman, visited the Library of Congress this month for what he called some "homework" on his new role. He learned of the story from a century ago of Lois Marshall, then the second lady in a Democratic administration, and Grace Coolidge, the incoming second lady in a Republican administration.