Barney Frank, the former US Congressman and gay rights trailblazer, has died aged 86.
Frank, who was a member of the Democratic Party, entered a palliative care hospice last month as he dealt with congestive heart failure. Frank is survived by his husband, Jim Ready, and his two sisters and brother.
He served in the US House of Representatives from 1981 until 2013. Prior to that he served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for eight years.
In 1987 Frank shared that he was gay, becoming the first member of Congress to voluntarily share that they were same-sex attracted. In 2012 he married his long-term partner Ready, making him the first member of congress to wed someone of the same sex while in office.
Frank served as the chair of the House financial services committee from 2007 until 2011. During his tenure the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was introduced, it has been described as the most sweeping reform to US financial regulations since the Great Depression.
Tributes have flowed for the retired congressman. Former President Barack Obama described him as “one of a kind”.
“For more than three decades in Congress, he fought tirelessly for the people of Massachusetts, helped make housing more affordable, stood up for the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans, and helped pass one of the most sweeping financial reforms in history designed to protect consumers and prevent another financial crisis.
“Barney’s passion and wit were second to none, and our thoughts are with his family today.” President Obama said.
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi also had high praise for Frank.
“As the first member to come out as gay publicly, Chairman Frank was a pioneering and powerful voice for the LGBTQ community,” Pelosi said in a statement. “All were moved by how he spoke about the discrimination he faced.”
Pete Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary under President Joe Biden also released a statement describing Frank as an inspiration.
“Seeing coverage of Congress as a young man in Indiana, I remember watching Barney Frank run circles around bad-faith arguments with his formidable intellect and unique political style.
“Years later, I’m not sure I would have had the chance to serve if Barney Frank hadn’t demonstrated that courage, commitment and skill can matter more than others’ imagination about what voters are ‘ready’ for,” Buttigieg said.
“He will be missed, and remembered, for generations.”
Speaking to US outlet The Advocate, Brian K. Bond, the National President of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) gave a more balanced assessment of Frank’s contribution to LGBTIQA+ rights.
“Former Member of Congress Barney Frank’s legacy stretches beyond the landmark Dodd-Frank Act to include many laws to advance prevention, detection, and treatment of HIV/AIDS. We remember Barney as a trailblazer who was the first Member of Congress to come out as gay, and who moved many pieces of civil rights legislation forward.” Bond said.
“Sadly, his legacy is also marred by his own actions and failures on behalf of transgender people.” he added.
Frank angered many LGBTIQA+ rights advocates in 2007 when he supported a version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that contained protections on the basis of sexuality, but not gender identity. In recent interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, that were conduced while Frank was in hospice care, he defended his incremental approach to establishing greater LGBTIQA+ rights.
Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said Frank had achieved many great outcomes during his career.
“At a time when being openly gay in public service could cost you everything, he chose visibility. At a time when our community was being devastated by AIDS, and too many leaders looked away, he demanded action.” Robinson said.
“He helped pave the way for the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ stronger federal protections, marriage equality, and a future where LGBTQ+ people could see themselves not just represented but leading at the highest levels of government.”
