Barney Frank: One of the first openly gay US congressmen dies aged 86

Former US Congressman Barney Frank, a trailblazer for LGBT rights and a key figure in financial regulation reform, died Tuesday night at the age of 86. Frank, who represented southern Massachusetts for over three decades, was one of the first openly gay members of Congress and the first to enter into a same-sex marriage. He spent his final weeks in hospice care at his home in Maine. Frank was a major architect of the Dodd-Frank Act, a significant overhaul of banking regulations enacted in response to the 2008 financial crisis. His sister and former campaign manager remembered him as a leader on civil rights and a person at peace with himself.

Barney Frank, a prominent liberal Democratic congressman from Massachusetts, has died at the age of 86. Frank served in the House of Representatives for 32 years, where he was a trailblazer for gay rights, becoming the first member of Congress to publicly come out as gay in 1987. He also played a significant role in crafting major financial reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Act, which enhanced consumer protections and regulatory oversight of banks. Known for his sharp wit and combative style, Frank was a key figure in advocating for marginalized communities and progressive ideals. He passed away in Ogunquit, Maine, where he had entered hospice care.