Barney Frank (born Barnett Frank) is a retired American politician who served as a U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 4th congressional district from 1981 to 2013. A prominent Democrat, he was known for his sharp wit, progressive stance on social issues, and significant influence on financial regulation. Frank came out as gay in 1987, becoming one of the first openly gay members of Congress and a leading advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. He chaired the House Financial Services Committee from 2007 to 2011 and was a key co-sponsor of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, which aimed to increase oversight of the financial industry following the 2008 financial crisis. Throughout his career, Frank advocated for causes including affordable housing, consumer protections, and the legalization of online gambling, reflecting his commitment to economic and social reforms. Before entering federal politics, Frank built a foundation in public service. He graduated from Harvard College in 1962 and later earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1973. Following his undergraduate studies, he worked as a teacher and then as chief of staff to Boston Mayor Kevin White. Frank was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1972, serving until 1981, where he focused on housing and education issues. His tenure in Congress was marked by bipartisan efforts on financial matters but also controversies, including criticism for his role in the housing crisis and a 2010 scandal involving a former boyfriend's involvement in a prostitution ring, though Frank was not implicated in wrongdoing. Since retiring from Congress in 2013, Frank has remained active in public discourse, serving on boards such as Signature Bank until its collapse in 2023 and advocating for issues like marijuana legalization and campaign finance reform. He married his husband, Jim Ready, in 2012, the first same-sex marriage of a sitting member of Congress. Frank's legacy is that of a trailblazing figure in American politics, particularly for gay rights and financial reform, though he faced ongoing debates about his influence on deregulation policies leading up to the 2008 crisis.