Former U.S. congressman Barney Frank, a towering figure in American politics and a trailblazer for LGBT rights, passed away at the age of 86. Frank, who became one of the first openly gay members of Congress, died at home in Maine after being in hospice care since April.
Representing southern Massachusetts in the House of Representatives for over three decades, Frank was remembered not only for his advocacy for LGBT rights, including being the first member of Congress to enter a same-sex marriage, but also for his significant role in overhauling financial regulations post-2008 crisis.
His sister, Doris Breay, called him a wonderful brother, while Jim Segel, his former campaign manager, noted that Frank was at peace with his situation and had left a significant mark on civil rights and the financial landscape.
Frank served from 1981 to 2013 and was a key architect of the Dodd-Frank Act, designed to strengthen financial regulations and prevent another economic crisis. The act was named after Frank and Senator Chris Dodd, reflecting their efforts to address the fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis.
Amid his advocacy, Frank was vocal against the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy and pushed for legislation to ban workplace discrimination against LGBT individuals, highlighting his commitment to equality.
In recent interviews, Frank expressed his concerns over the state of current politics, yet maintained optimism for future improvement.
