Barney Frank, legendary liberal who ripped into left-wing dysfunction on his death bed, dies at 86 | Fortune

Barney Frank, a longtime Democratic congressman, died at age 86. He represented Boston-area suburbs for 32 years and later moved to Ogunquit, Maine, entering hospice in April with congestive heart failure. He was known for acerbic wit, combative style, and focus on marginalized communities, describing himself as a left-handed gay Jew. Frank became a pioneer for LGBT rights, coming out publicly in 1987 as the first member of Congress to do so voluntarily. In 2012, he married his husband Jim Ready, becoming the first incumbent lawmaker on Capitol Hill to marry someone of the same sex. He also helped craft the most significant financial reforms in a generation and hoped to be remembered for progressive politics pursued without forcing ideals on voters prematurely.

"Barney Frank, the longtime Democratic congressman and leading liberal who brought new visibility to gay rights and crafted the most significant reforms to the financial system in a generation, has died. He was 86. Frank died late Tuesday, according to Jim Segel, Frank's former campaign manager and close friend."

"A self-described "left-handed gay Jew," Frank was known for his acerbic wit, combative style and focus on marginalized communities. He represented the party's left wing while keeping close with Democratic leaders who sometimes frustrated progressives. He is best known as a pioneer for LGBT rights."

"After decades of grappling with his sexuality, he publicly came out as gay in 1987, the first member of Congress to do so voluntarily. With his 2012 marriage to Ready, he became the first incumbent lawmaker on Capitol Hill to marry someone of the same sex."

""I hope I made the point that the best way to accomplish the improvements in our society that we need, particularly in making it less unfair economically and socially, is by conventional political methods," Frank said. "The main obstacle to our defeating populism and going further in the right direction is that mainstream Democrats have to make it clear that we oppose that pa"

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