Barney Frank, gay rights icon and architect of bank rules, dies at 86

"He notified everybody that he was in hospice, so it was just a matter of time. He was certainly at peace with himself. He certainly left a mark, and he was a leader on on civil rights, on gay rights, on leading other marginalized communities, and then he helped the country get through the 2008 financial crisis, which was the most significant recession, depression, almost since 1930. So, I think he was a very, very important actor in the country during those times."

"The former lawmaker gave a number of final media interviews from hospice care, warning his party to focus more on “politically survivable” issues and not use the most progressive causes as “litmus tests.”"

"The Dodd-Frank Act, named for Frank and Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), was a historic overhaul of banking regulations in response to the subprime mortgage crisis that helped trigger the 2008 Great Recession. It established new regulatory bodies - including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - and limited banks' ability to make high-risk investments. In 2018, President Trump signed a law that preserved the framework of Dodd-Frank but loosened restrictions on banks."

"A champion of progressive policies, Frank advocated for an end to the “don't ask, don't tell” policy, allowing gay and lesbian military members to serve openly. He was also a key sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which has not passed but would protect LGBTQ+ workers from discrimination and harassment. Frank came out publicly in 1987 and became the first member of Congress in a same-sex marriage in 2012. Frank is survived by his husband, Jim Ready."

Frank died Tuesday night after being in hospice care, with his brother confirming the passing. Final media interviews from hospice included warnings to focus on politically survivable issues rather than using the most progressive causes as litmus tests. Frank was recognized for leadership on civil rights and gay rights and for helping the country navigate the 2008 financial crisis. The Dodd-Frank Act, named for Frank and Sen. Chris Dodd, overhauled banking regulations after the subprime mortgage crisis, created new regulatory bodies including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and limited banks’ ability to make high-risk investments. Later, a 2018 law preserved the framework while loosening some restrictions. Frank advocated ending “don’t ask, don’t tell,” sponsored the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, came out publicly in 1987, and became the first member of Congress in a same-sex marriage in 2012. He is survived by his husband, Jim Ready.

Read at Axios