Mastodawn

Liberal congressman #BarneyFrank, who crafted the most significant reforms to the #financial system in a generation & was trailblazer for #GayRights, whose coming out in 1987 helped normalize being openly gay in public life, has died. He was 86.

#USpol #LGBTQ #MApol #Boston
https://apnews.com/article/barney-frank-congressman-democrat-gay-rights-massachusetts-2bcabf60456bc189fef2cadd393a8b76

Barney Frank, a liberal congressman and trailblazer for gay rights, dies

Barney Frank has died. The longtime Democratic congressman from Massachusetts was a leading liberal who brought new visibility to gay rights. He also helped to craft the most significant changes to the financial system in a generation. Frank was both brusque and erudite. He was the first lawmaker to come out as gay voluntarily. Frank recently spoke to The Associated Press and he advised the left-wing of his party to be less purist and more willing to accept compromise as a form of progress. Frank died late Tuesday. He was 86.

AP News

Show thread

Nonilex 1d ago

#BarneyFrank died late Tuesday, according to Jim Segel, Frank’s former campaign manager & close friend.

After representing broad swaths of #Boston’s suburbs in #Congress for 32 years, Frank & his husband moved to Ogunquit, Maine. He entered hospice there in April with congestive heart failure & is survived by his husband, Jim Ready, & sisters, the longtime Democratic strategist Ann Lewis & Doris Breay, along with brother David Frank.

#USpol #LGBTQ

Show thread

Nonilex 1d ago

A self-described “left-handed gay Jew,” #BarneyFrank was known for his acerbic wit, combative style & focus on marginalized communities. He represented the party’s left wing while keeping close with Democratic leaders who sometimes frustrated progressives.

He is best known as a pioneer for #LGBT rights. After decades of grappling with his sexuality, he publicly came out as #gay in 1987, the first member of #Congress to do so voluntarily.

#USpol #LGBTQ #MApol #Boston

Show thread

Nonilex

With #BarneyFrank’s 2012 marriage to Ready, he became the first incumbent lawmaker on Capitol Hill to marry someone of the same sex.

In an April interview as he entered hospice, Frank said he hoped he would be remembered for advocating a brand of #politics that embraced #progressive ideals without forcing them on voters prematurely. An approach he feared was being rejected as #Democrats prepare for what could be a rollicking primary as they hope to retake the White House in 2028.

#USpol #LGBTQ

Show thread

Nonilex 1d ago

…By 2007, #BarneyFrank was the chairman of the #House #Financial Services Committee, where he would leave his lasting policy mark as the #US #economy careened toward collapse. He worked with the Republican Bush admin to pass a rescue package, providing vital support to financial institutions but spurring a populist revolt that still courses through US politics.

Once the initial crisis eased, Frank helped develop the most significant financial #reform #legislation since the New Deal.

Show thread

Nonilex 1d ago

Working with then-Senate #Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, D-Conn., the #DoddFrankAct would enhance #ConsumerProtections, impose new capital requirements for #banks & boost the ability of #regulators to #monitor #risk.

“Barney & I shared a fantastic relationship,” Dodd said. “I had many good moments in those 36 years in #Congress, but none more significant, joyful, or productive than those almost two years working with Barney on our banking bill.”

#BarneyFrank #USpol #LGBTQ

Show thread

Nonilex 1d ago

During Trump’s 2nd term, his admin has worked to roll back many of the #DoddFrankAct legislation’s provisions, arguing they were too onerous.

Facing his toughest reelection campaign in years in 2010 as the tea party wave swept US politics, #BarneyFrank opted against running again in 2012, though he remained engaged in #politics long after leaving #Congress & was a fierce critic of #Trump.

Asked who might succeed Trump, Frank said “unfortunately I won’t get to vote for it.”

#USpol #LGBTQ

Show thread