WASHINGTON — In celebration of the life, work, and memory of former Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), the first member of Congress to voluntarily come out as gay and co-founder of the Congressional Equality Caucus (CEC), CEC Chair Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) released the following statement:
“I first met the inimitable Barney Frank in the early ’80s when I was a student in Cambridge. I followed his journey for years, including the part he played in moving the bill providing redress to Japanese Americans interned during World War II forward, and watched how his constituents stuck by him after he came out — even at a time when the United States was still deeply homophobic — because they knew he would never stop fighting for them.
“Barney proved that what mattered most was the work you did for others. I truly believe that we are closer to a more equal world because of Barney Frank. Congressman Frank’s legacy touches every part of our fight for LGBTQI+ equality: from his work advocating for HIV and AIDS research to helping pass major pro-equality legislation like the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act and the Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law.
“I was honored that he came to campaign for me during my run for Congress just a few years after he co-founded the Congressional Equality Caucus, which I now have the distinct honor of leading. As we mourn Congressman Frank’s passing, I join my fellow openly-LGBTQI+ members of Congress in holding his husband James, his family, and his friends in our hearts.”
Frank, who served in Congress from 1981 to 2013, died on May 19 at the age of 86.
In 1987, Frank became the first member of Congress to voluntarily come out as gay while actively serving in Congress and, in 2012, he became the first sitting member to marry someone of the same sex when he married his long-time partner, James Ready.
On June 4, 2008, Frank and then-Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) — the only two openly-gay members of Congress — announced the formation of the House of Representatives LGBT Equality Caucus, now called the Congressional Equality Caucus (CEC), to “serve as a resource for members of Congress, their staffs, and the public on LGBT issues.”
The caucus became a central organizing point for members of Congress working to combat hate crimes, address employment discrimination, and achieve equality for the LGBTQI+ community under the law. Frank continued to serve as a co-chair throughout the remainder of his time in the House.
In the 119th Congress, the Equality Caucus boasts 193 members, including a historic record of 12 openly LGBTQI+ members of Congress.
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus said in a statement, “Congressman Barney Frank was a trailblazer and steadfast ally to the AANHPI community.
“As chair of a House Judiciary subcommittee, he helped pass the 1988 Civil Liberties Act to secure redress for Japanese Americans unjustly incarcerated during World War II. May his memory be a blessing.”
Actor and LGBTQI+ activist George Takei posted on social media, “Barney Frank lived his truth at a time when doing so cost everything, and he did it anyway. The first sitting congressman to come out as gay, the first to marry his husband. He fought for all of us with humor, ferocity, and brilliance.
“Rest well, Barney. We carry your courage forward.”