Former US congressman Barney Frank, who famously took on Wall Street and was one of the first known openly gay representatives, died on Tuesday night, US media reports. He was 86.
Frank, a Democrat who represented southern Massachusetts in the House of Representatives for over three decades, had been in hospice care at his home in Maine since April.
Frank will be remembered as a trailblazer for LGBT rights, as the first member of Congress in a same-sex marriage, and for helping to overhaul financial regulations after the 2008 financial crisis.
His sister, Doris Breay, recounted, He was, above all else, a wonderful brother. I was lucky to be his sister. Jim Segel, Frank's former campaign manager, shared that Frank was at peace with himself during his final days.
Frank served from 1981 to 2013, becoming a major architect of the Dodd-Frank Act, which created new regulatory bodies and tightened restrictions on banks following the 2008 Great Recession. This landmark legislation addressed the subprime mortgage crisis that had significant repercussions on the economy.
During his tenure, Frank was also a vocal advocate for ending the military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, which prohibited openly gay individuals from serving in the military. He fought for legislation to ban workplace discrimination against LGBT workers, contributing to the ongoing struggle for equality.
Prejudice is based on ignorance, Frank stated in a 2011 interview, emphasizing the need for living examples to counter stigma. In his final days, he expressed both disgust at the current political climate and optimism for the future.
Barney Frank's legacy will continue to inspire generations of advocates for civil rights and social justice.
