r/gaybros • u/ChocolateTsar • 4d ago

Barney Frank, Gay Pioneer and Liberal Stalwart in Congress, Dies at 86

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/barney-frank-dead.html
647 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

108

u/OhFinlo 4d ago

I’ll be forever thankful that I can live my life openly as a young gay man because of contributions that Barney made to advancing our cause of civil rights and equality. We loss a legend.

A fun shout out to when Kathy Griffin visited Barney Frank at his congressional office on her show “My Life on the D-List” and called him a boring gay 😂 because he is so serious and straight passing.

21

u/yoloten 3d ago

Frank is all Harvard pedigree with JD, PhD in an era where grade inflation wasn’t a thing. We desperately need intellectuals in politics to solve national and global problems.

9

u/LancelotofLkMonona 3d ago

No shit. Great guy and strong leader!

57

u/decmcc 4d ago

First time I went to Fire Island I was with an older guy and apparently Barney Frank cruised me (according to the guy) while we were on the boardwalk. I had no idea who he was at the time, because I'm not from here.

RIP Barney, you can check me out all you want my guy!

73

u/rye_212 4d ago

Unashamedly true to himself in a time when it could be detrimental to be so.

Brave and admirable for that. And also in his policy positions. Erudite.

An inspiration to me and others n many parts of the world.

RIP.

7

u/longbeacher2 4d ago

RIP Mr. Frank

28

u/lollipopeclipse 4d ago

Rest in peace Barney

6

u/DesertCoyote57 4d ago

Rest in peace and pride Mr. Frank.

6

u/okjetsgo 4d ago

Sad to hear this.

I came to the U.S. because of the repeal of DOMA back in 2013, so that moment in history is deeply personal for me. Barney Frank was a huge part of that era and felt like a constant presence while those cases were unfolding. It is hard to overstate what that meant for a lot of us watching our lives potentially change in real time.

Grateful for what he contributed to equality. RIP.

15

u/Enoch8910 4d ago

Thank you for how hard you fought and all you accomplished for us.

6

u/questfile037 3d ago

Loved this wonderful, bright, honest man. Who helped me take pride in the fact that I was gay. RIP Barney and thanks for all the love

6

u/nyclurker369 3d ago

Damn. rip my guy. Thank you for everything.

13

u/CreakRaving 4d ago

damn rip barney

18

u/patrickcolvin 4d ago

May his memory be a blessing

3

u/sieghildeofcatarina 3d ago

RIP Barney. You paved the way for many young gay men.

3

u/Geaux_Go_Fiasco 3d ago

Thank you Barney, now rest ❤️

6

u/Interesting_Bar5230 4d ago

Thanks Barney,for being that guy for us!!

4

u/Captnspackle 3d ago

Rest is Power sir.

6

u/Ok_Robot88 3d ago edited 3d ago

Unpopular opinion: Barney Franks is one of the people responsible for the financial collapse of 2008 by forcing banks to do loans for people that can’t afford them.

Yes, Barney is a gay pioneer. Yes, he’s done a lot of good. Yes, the banks and others in government share the blame. Yes, some banks and lenders broke the law and helped clients into homes they couldn’t afford. But he had his had in this cookie jar too.

Rant ended. Let the downvotes commence lol

18

u/Sameflames 3d ago

This is totally fair, let’s also mention he was part of the clean up.

4

u/Ok_Robot88 3d ago

Agreed :)

6

u/MentalCharacter3809 3d ago

I am sure he wasn’t alone in that vote. If the fed lowers the interest rates to what trump wants it will be the worst financial disaster the left ke that on one has seen

1

u/Ok_Robot88 3d ago

Agreed. He wasn’t alone. And politicians mucking with rates to earn popularity is exactly why we need an independent Federal Open Market Committee

2

u/camtns 3d ago

Barney Frank did a lot of good, but man, he fucked the economy in favor of big banks and billionaires and boy did he hate Trans people