Barney Frank, the first openly gay member of the United States Congress and a towering figure in American financial reform, has died at the age of 86. The news was confirmed by his family on Wednesday. Mr Frank, a Democrat from Massachusetts, served in the House of Representatives from 1981 to 2013.
He was a leading architect of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, legislation passed in response to the 2008 financial crisis. However, it was his role as a trailblazer for LGBT rights that reshaped American politics. He came out as gay voluntarily in 1987, at a time when few politicians dared to do so.
His decision was widely seen as a pivotal moment in the struggle for equality. In the United Kingdom, his legacy was celebrated by political figures and campaigners who noted the influence of his activism on British legislative advances, including the introduction of civil partnerships and equal marriage. David Lammy, the Labour MP, described him as "
a giant of progressive politics" whose courage inspired countless others. Mr Frank was known for his sharp wit and pugnacious style, often deploying humour to disarm opponents.
He retired in 2013 and later married his long-term partner, Jim Ready, in a ceremony officiated by then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Friends say he remained fiercely engaged with current affairs until the end. His death marks the close of an era in which a once-closeted politician helped transform the political landscape on both sides of the Atlantic.
