For newly-appointed Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) commissioner Michael T. Duffy, four seems to be a lucky number.

Just four days after his 1987 graduation from the Kennedy School of Government, he was hired as finance director for a successful congressional campaign in Connecticut.

And last month, almost exactly four years after graduation, he became the first openly gay Republican ever appointed to lead MCAD.

"He's been a pioneer as an openly gay person in the Republican party, which takes real courage," said David LaFontaine, lobbying director of the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights. "I think he's shown real leadership in the Republican party as far as sensitivity to minority issues."

Duffy gives credit for at least part of his rapid political climb to Gov. William F. Weld '66 whose administration has been described as one of the most strongly supportive of the gay-rights movement in the nation.

"Without a doubt [Weld] is the most pro-gay governor in the nation," Duffy said. "With new pro-gay legislation springing up all over New England, everyone is looking to Massachusetts as a model. And everyone's dumb-founded that it's a Republican administration that is making these strides."

Hidden Hurdles

But the road to success has not always been easy for Duffy.

He was fired from his position as communications director of the Massachusetts Republican party in 1989 because of policy differences with his boss, he says.

Last fall he narrowly failed in his bid to unseat an eight-year incumbent state representative, Byron Rushing (D-Suffolk).

And most recently, opposition to his appointment as head of MCAD was strong enough to spark the formation of a coalition trying to block it.

Much of the criticism stemmed from concern that the radical brand of conservatism which Duffy once preached could not possibly be compatible with a position as head of the chief anti-discrimination organization in the state.

As an undergraduate at Trinity College, Duffy wrote an editorial denying the merit of affirmative action programs for minorities. But he says that his views have changed considerably since his college days.

"In that same article, I also mentioned that I hoped to get married. So obviously my life has changed a lot," Duffy said. "Today I am 100 percent behind the idea of affirmative action."

Ironically, much of the grief which Duffy has encountered in his quest for MCAD's top post has come from other gays.