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

Barney Frank, a longtime Democratic congressman, died at age 86. He represented Boston-area suburbs for 32 years and later moved to Ogunquit, Maine, entering hospice in April with congestive heart failure. Frank was known for acerbic wit, combative style, and focus on marginalized communities. He publicly came out as gay in 1987, becoming the first member of Congress to do so voluntarily. In 2012, he married his husband Jim Ready, becoming the first incumbent lawmaker on Capitol Hill to marry a same-sex partner. Frank also crafted the most significant financial system reforms in a generation and hoped to be remembered for progressive politics achieved through conventional political methods.

"Frank died late Tuesday, according to Jim Segel, Frank's former campaign manager and close friend. After representing broad swaths of Boston's suburbs in Congress for 32 years, Frank and his husband moved to Ogunquit, Maine. He entered hospice there in April with congestive heart failure and is survived by his husband, Jim Ready, and sister, the longtime Democratic strategist Ann Lewis."

"A self-described "left-handed gay Jew," Frank was known for his acerbic wit, combative style and 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."

"With his 2012 marriage to Ready, he became the first incumbent lawmaker on Capitol Hill to marry someone of the same sex. But 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."

""I hope I made the point that the best way to accomplish the improvements in our society that we need, particularly in making it less unfair economically and socially, is by conventional political methods,""

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