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In the January 12 edition of The New Yorker, Massachusetts representative Barney Frank tells reporter Jeffrey Toobin that he is bullish about the future of gay rights under Barack Obama’s administration.
We’re going to do three things in Congress…First, a hate-crimes bill–that shouldn’t be too hard. Next, employment discrimination. We almost got that through before, but now we can win even if we add transgender protections, which we are going to do. And, finally, after the troops get home from Iraq, gays in the military. The time has come.”
Frank was the first congressman to come out of the closet willingly and, for a long time, was the only openly gay national representative–Sen. Larry Craig (R-Id.) doesn’t count. Frank has since been joined by Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.).
To read the entire profile of Frank in the New Yorker, click here.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Andy // Jan 15, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Wait…how exactly is this “bullish”? This is the same toothless agenda that HRC has used for 20 years for very successful fundraising and minimal legislative progress. Waiting until the troops get home from Iraq to repeal DADT? WTF? We have LGBT troops in a war; we have highly and uniquely qualified servicemen and -women being discharged for their sexual orientation. They need and deserve this protection now. Now, “bullish” — how about introducing a bill to repeal DOMA?
2 Terry // Jan 15, 2009 at 1:17 pm
I have to agree Andy… as someone who was discharged due to DADT; after 2 Iraq tours mind you, I can understand your point. I do however, really like Barney. I think he is remarkable brilliant.
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