Barney Frank broke the mold, and I admire him for it.

[Philosoraptor]

Barney Frank is one of very few gay politicians who broke the mold of closeted gay man living in fear of being discovered. He stood there and took the heat, admitted being gay unapologetically, and he stands there still.

And Barney Frank took away the weapon of being blackmailed for decades, rendered it useless.

Not like SOME republican closeted gay men I suspect would just die if they were discovered, as if it is a sin or a crime to be gay. I ain't sayin' I know who is or isn't but there are SEVERAL suspects high up in the republican party.

Come on out boys, stop hiding it as if it were something to be ashamed of, this is the 21st century already, we're modern, sophisticated and tolerant, unlike you.

[terrya]

1. I agree.

I personally wouldn't use the words "admitted being gay". That still sort of smacks of a shame factor. And I speak of experience. I would use that kind of language myself. And I'm gay.

But otherwise, you're spot-on right. It would be nice...though it's not going to happen, of course...if some people in the Republican Party would re-think their attitudes about homosexuality in general and gay people in the Republican Party. There IS a group...the Log Cabin Republicans...that we frequently deride on DU. The Republican Party might want to begin acknowledging that there are gay and lesbian folks in the party. And perhaps if that were to happen, maybe more gay Republican politicians would come out.

That, of course, holds true for gay Democratic politicians still in the closet. Of course, it's far more welcoming for them (besides Barney Frank, there's also openly lesbian Represenative Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin)

[Philosoraptor]

2. I believe Barney was outed by his enemies

I may be wrong, its been some time, but I believe Barney wasn't so much closeted as discreet.

[JI7]

3. i think there is a silent agreement between gay Republicans

and their supporters that they will continue to support them politically as long as they vote for their right wing agenda.

i think it's pretty well known among most that David Drier , Lindsey Graham and some others are gay. it was known about Mark Foley also. if they move too much away from the right wing agenda or try to push for gay rights then they will lose support and political office.

[Philosoraptor]

4. Ken Mehlman comes to mind too

[Ice4Clark]

5. I'm not sure how I feel about Franks

He was mentioned by Paul Bonacci in the Franklin cover up as having been involved in the sex rings in DC. I've watched conspiracy of silence and believe John DeCamp is trying to bring these atrocities to the surface. Repub or Dem, if they are guilty of crimes against children, they should all be imprisioned.


Sex with minors?

In his testimony before Judge Urbom, Bonacci specifically named Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) as having participated in the parties--also telling the judge he had "relationships with him" in Washington, DC and was flown to Massachusetts for sex in the basement of Frank's Boston home.
<2-5-1999, p. 126>

However, Urbom did not subpoena all the photos and did not ask Bonacci to identify photos of specific senators and congressmen, or reveal their names in court transcripts and depositions we examined; nor did Judge Urbom explain why investigations have never commenced regarding which members of congress had sex with children.

The evidence DeCamp presented was so credible and substantial that Urbom awarded Paul Bonacci $1 million for child abuse on February 19, 1999 regarding his lawsuit involving Larry King. This, despite a Nebraska jury having already indicted Bonacci for perjury in 1990, ultimately sending an intentionally damaged, spiritually and physically abused young man to prison for five years--and despite his treatment by King, described in court testimony.


Here's a link to the video

[REP]

6. Only One Thing Not To Like About Barney Frank...

...and that's not his sexuality - or his politics. I admire his courage, too. But I was surprised that he doesn't have much of sense of humor! Don't care though; he won me forever with his display of decency, courage and integrity during the blackmail incident.

[bigscott]

8. i completely disagree with you

I have met Congressman Frank a couple times. He is well read, extremely smart, passionate about his causes and he has a wonderful, biting sense of humor. I admire him a great deal

[Boston Critic]

9. You must be joking

Barney Frank is my Congressman and he's been known for years as having one of the sharpest wits in Congress.

Do a little googling.

[NewJeffCT]

7. Can somebody explain more to me on the Frank "incident"?

The one that Republicans have brought up as a comparison regarding Mark Foley...