Barney Frank, Wall Street reformer and LGBTQ trailblazer, dies at 86
Former Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank, the Democrat WHO represented the state's 4th Congressional District from 1981 to 2013, has died at 86. Frank coauthored the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and chaired the House Financial Services Committee from 2007 to 2011, leading congressional responses to the 2008 financial crisis. Frank came out as gay in 1987, became one of the first openly gay members of Congress, and is survived by his husband Jim Ready. His combination of legislative skill and national visibility reshaped U.S. financial oversight and expanded LGBTQ representation in Washington.
I was proud to call Barney Frank a friend. He was a trailblazer, a brilliant legislator, and a champion for American consumers. I'll miss his humor, his courage, and his heart, and my thoughts today are with his friends and loved ones.
Peter12Barney Frank decided to use his last weeks on earth to disparage progressives and progressive causes. I will not miss him.
detoxthegop.bsky.social6Problem is many Gen Zs don't even know who impactful Barney Frank was in their growing lives & their financial future.
GenXBitch💋6Im fortunate to be able to say he was my congressman for MA-4 and we loved him dearly. He was a great man. We will never forget him and his many contributions to the citizens of MA and the nation.
churchlady3206He did more to confront oligarchs than most anyone in my lifetime. He cared about people, and it showed in his work and legislation. Thank you for your reflections on him. He was one of the greats.
muletrains.bsky.social5HCR has always been supportive of the community!
Candy S.5May his memory always be a blessing. 💔
How dumb is there?4I totally fan girled out when I saw him at an airport in DC.
💙Joani in the sky with cubic zirconia 💙3He was trying to save his country right up until the end. He had more passion and patriotism than most MAGA republicans combined. Condolences to all who loved him.
🌸🐱🐭🌸 🖇️2Why are the good ones leaving and the shit remains 🍊🤡💩
pack65.bsky.social2Well said. He was a force
Nathaniel Pendleton2Respect that US Rep Barney Frank D-MA was 1st reelected openly LGBTQ Gay US Rep, a glass ceiling breaker. Thank him for his #HR51 1993 vote to add a voting US Rep office to JimCrow/KKK inferior DC territory. Detest him for his self-loathing homophobia opposing #DCstatehood for highest % pop LGBTQ.
SailorLife2Only wish he went out more graciously.
Barney Frank was a committed public servant. Coming out in the 1980's took courage and he helped set America on a better path for LGTBQ people. May his memory be a blessing. www.cnn.com/2026/05/20/p...
OFFICIAL ANTIFA MASCOT DOG7Please don’t associate Frank with the T part- he sure as fuck hated trans folks, and barely tolerated lesbians. This has been known since the 90s.
Crooked Edge4He just shit on that legacy. his ladder-pulling on trans issues and seething hatred for genuine progressivism will surely overshadow his choice to come out when it wasn't popular.
Expat!!2I was proud to be his constituent and always on my toes when I lobbied him. Smartest member of Congress and sharpest tongue. May his memory be a blessing.
Transgender For Everyone!2All true. Also, he turned into a shit at the end.
People in Congress and across the country grieve the passing of Barney Frank, who over three decades of service in Congress was an extraordinary champion for the civil rights and civil liberties of all people. May his memory be a blessing to his family and our entire nation.
Dan Rouse 🏳️⚧️ 🇵🇸3Except trans people, for which I will not forgive him
JessicaBlack3So .. are you agreeing with him that trans people aren't people in this post representative Raskin? Because to us trans americans he was a hateful bigot who abused his power to make sure we're disinfranchised in our own country.. Maybe don't praise dead bigots?
smurfsup | hi, .w=en r we mee&ting to do iLlegiL stuff , . ?3. To NYers of a certain age, Barney wasn’t a politician; he was an uncle
battlingbastards.bsky.social3First knew of him from 1990s PBS Think Tank. What a mind!
Elizabeth A Woodside2His finesse in financial responsibility during Bush recession should be studied!
Annabel Lee2An unforgettable presence. RIP, Barney.
Opie Opossum2Except trans people. Fuck him
Sherri Massey2A job well done, good and faithful servant. Rest well sir
My heartfelt condolences to Barney Frank's family and friends Barney ...served in the House of Representatives from 1981 to 2013 He was a SHARP -TONGUED ADVOCATE for GAY RIGHT A FIERCE WIT He co-wrote the DODD-FRANK ACT to prevent a repeat of 2008 financial crisis RIP BARNEY FRANK 🙏
Malena-PRO-CHOICE 🌊 🟦🟧Fighting Tyranny!22Rest in Peace, Barney Frank. Your kind warm voice always made me smile. Sending love and condolences to all that admired him. He was always fighting for a better future.
🪷MsGrumpyBunny🪷7RIP 🙏🏼🪽 Prayers and condolences to his family and friends.
Guardrails of Democracy51st openly gay Congressman & 1st to marry his longtime partner.
thedo0dah62.bsky.social3He was one of the few politicians I respected. He worked for a better America.
Expatina2Lovely tribute to a great man. I'll never forget how disgustingly the GOP tried to smear Barney and drive him out of Congress. And still he fought on. I was sad to hear of his passing.
As the media furiously pinkwashes the late Barney Frank as an "LGBTQ trailblazer" despite his years of attacks on trans rights, even from his death bed, we should instead remember the final wishes of ACT UP activist Kirk W., a true ally who wanted trans people to fight for our rights on the streets.
Trans News Network61In interviews for ACT UP LA's oral history project which is meant to preserve the stories and experiences of aging queer activists for the next generations, almost every former AIDS activist advocated for trans people to form a new ACT UP. Read more: transnews.network/p/reagan-era...
jessdee.bsky.social2"Most anti-crossdressing ordinances were repealed and/or overturned—often with trans agitation. Contrary to the obnoxiously dismissive 1974 assessment of them by Lambda Legal’s William Thom as “not a gay issue,”
Barney Frank was one of a kind. Brilliant, acerbic, deep, one of the best legislators I have ever encountered. I was proud to have him as a friend. I will miss him. May his memory be a blessing
🫶🏻 Dusty Biker🇵🇸🍉🇸🇴6I imagine that he was a good friend to you But His anti trans rhetoric is unforgivable. Especially when he spoke out about it at the end of his life; piling on a threatened minority that never caused harm m an iota of harm is just disgusting
🏴☠️DiscordⒶntMuse🏴☠️5He was a transphobic bigot.
dank serpico5he wasn't one of a kind. there are tons of transphobic centrists in congress.
Lïså Lōvê🪶3He hated trans people. I'm not shedding a single tear at the news of his passing.
Congressman Barney Frank helped transform American politics through decades of public service, fearless advocacy, and a commitment to equality and justice. As one of the first openly gay members of Congress, he paved the way for generations of Americans to serve openly and with pride. (1/2)
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01)69During a time where the LGBTQ+ community is under attack, his legacy reminds us that one of the most powerful ways we can fight back is to continue to show up boldly, proudly, and unapologetically. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends, family, and loved ones. ❤️ (2/2)
Kerry Armour 💔🇺🇲☹️2He was a helluva guy. He covered the district I grew up in and we were all really proud of him. Rather pleased you have you as my rep now. Give'em hell, Melanie!
