Barney Frank, Former Congressman, Dies at 87

Why this is here: Barney Frank co-authored the Dodd-Frank Act, a law designed to increase oversight of Wall Street after the 2008 financial crisis.

Barney Frank, a former Democratic congressman from Massachusetts, died today at age 87. He entered history as the first openly gay man elected to Congress. Frank authored a law regulating the financial industry following the 2008 global financial crisis, according to NBC News.

He spent his final months in palliative care at his home in Maine. His sister, Doris Breay, described him as a wonderful brother.

Frank was born in New Jersey in 1940 and graduated from Harvard in 1962. He first entered Congress in 1980 and won reelection in 1987 after coming out as gay.

Frank served for 32 years, becoming a leading voice on banking, affordable housing, and LGBTQ rights. He chaired the House Financial Services Committee during the 2008 crisis and co-authored the Dodd-Frank Act.

Frank suggested that open acknowledgement of LGBTQ identities helped to reduce prejudice. The article notes that attitudes shifted somewhat after George W.

Bush’s election in 2000. Work toward full equality continues despite this progress.