Former Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank dies at 86

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Former Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank Tuesday died at 86 from complications of congestive heart failure.

Frank, a long-time Bay State representative, served in Congress for 32 years and became a liberal icon known for his work on LGBTQ rights and financial reform.

Barnett Frank was born on March 31, 1940, in Bayonne, New Jersey, outside of New York City. Boston and banking would impact Frank’s life.

Frank graduated from Harvard University in 1962. His studies in political science were interrupted by jobs with Boston’s mayor and later with the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

After returning to Harvard for a law degree, Frank turned to politics, serving the state legislature for eight years before being elected to Congress in 1980.

A progressive Democrat, Frank opposed many policies of then-President Ronald Reagan. Seven years later, at the height of the AIDS epidemic, Frank became the first member of Congress to voluntarily confirm he was openly gay.

After this moment in 1987, he was reelected the next year with 70 percent of the vote.

Remaining a fierce advocate for LGBTQ rights, Frank made his biggest legislative mark later in his career during his time as House Financial Services Committee Chair during the 2008 financial crisis.

Frank helped shepherd several major pieces of legislation including Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, better known as the “bank bailout.”

He also helped author the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The 2010 law, which includes his namesake, reformed the banking system following the Great Recession.

In 2012, Frank made history again, marrying his long-time partner James Ready. He was the first member of Congress to do so. The U.S. Supreme Court would not legalize same sex marriage for another three years.

Frank retired from Congress in early 2013 after serving 32 years in the House.

A liberal icon and trailblazer, Frank stayed active in politics after retirement, notably being present on the House floor when Congress passed the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022.