More on LGBT

Barney Frank's statement regarding the U.S. Circuit Court decision on the "Defense of Marriage Act"

Barney Frank’s reaction to President Obama’s statement on same-sex marriage

House sponsors of Respect for Marriage Act cite federal court rulings that DOMA is unconstitutional, renew call for Speaker Boehner to support repeal.

Frank calls on Panetta to defend comments opposing defense cuts in light of record supporting cuts

Congressman Barney Frank today released a letter to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, both praising him for his handling of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and challenging him for his claim that military spending cuts will “hollow out” our national defense.

Barney Frank’s statement on the legacy of LGBT rights pioneer Frank Kameny

WASHINGTON – Congressman Barney Frank today released this statement about the passing of LGBT rights pioneer Frank Kameny.

Frank Commemorates the End of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Frank requests Attorney General to consider LGBT family ties in immigration deportation cases

Frank addresses a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder requesting that he consider family ties of LGBT individuals when determining cases that should be relieved from deportation

Rep. Frank dismisses DADT repeal fears

"We have a history in this country of prejudice being enacted," Frank said, and through the efforts of many people, the policy embodied in that prejudice can be overcome," Frank said. "And as we debate any single effort to overcome prejudice we are told that the effect of diminishing that prejudice, the effect of repealing that rule, will be chaos, will be disorder, will be social unrest, and it is never true."

Frank Releases Testimony in Support of Massachusetts Bill to Extend Equal Rights to Transgender Individuals

NEWTON, MA – Congressman Barney Frank today released his testimony in favor of a Massachusetts bill which would extend legal protections which now cover gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals to also include transgender people. The testimony was presented in writing to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary, which is holding a hearing on the legislation today.

Frank Asks Obama to Reject DoD Bill with 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Provisions

Rep. Barney Frank has asked President Obama to veto the National Defense Authorization Act if it contains language that delays the end of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that prohibits gay service members from openly declaring their sexuality.

Frank Releases Letter Calling on President to Threaten Veto if Defense Bill Contains Language to Undermine DADT Repeal

NEWTON, MA -- Congressman Barney Frank today released a letter addressed to President Obama, requesting that he formally threaten to veto the Defense Authorization bill if it contains language that could undermine the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Frank Speaks Out Against Ugandan “Anti-Homosexuality” Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Barney Frank today released the following statement regarding news that the parliament of Uganda is on the verge of passing a bill to deny LGBT individuals basic human rights.

Frank Amendment on the Persecution of Sexual and Religious Minorities Passes the House Financial Services Committee

Congressman Barney Frank, Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, today introduced an amendment in committee which would have the effect of pressuring countries which persecute people on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or religious belief. Although most votes in the committee have broken along party lines, Congressman Frank’s amendment passed the Committee with near-unanimous support.

House panel approves measure against LGBT persecution overseas

A U.S. House committee on Tuesday approved an amendment to major Treasury department legislation that would pressure countries overseas that persecute LGBT people or religious minority groups. The House Financial Services Committee passed the measure, introduced by gay Rep. Barney Frank.

Frank sees gay equality "in my lifetime"

"I can foresee now an end to legal inequality based on sexual orientation and gender equality some time in my lifetime," said Frank, who turned 70 three days ago.

Obama Signs Away ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

“Reality will very soon make it clear that there is nothing to worry about,” Mr. Frank said. He called the signing the biggest civil rights moment in the nation since the signing of voting rights legislation in the 1960s. “If you can fight for your country, you can do anything,” he said.

Frank Issues Statement Regarding Introduction of Stand-Alone Bill to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

Congressman Barney Frank today released the following statement regarding the announcement by Majority Leader Steny Hoyer that the House will consider a stand-alone bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Frank’s Reaction to Statement by Defense Secretary Gates Regarding the Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Congressman Barney Frank today released this statement in response to Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ request for Congress to move quickly to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Barney Frank’s Statement on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

Congressman Barney Frank today released the following statement about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

President Signs Hate Crimes Legislation into Law

President Barack Obama today signed legislation which will expand the definition of violent hate crimes to include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. The new law will also allow the federal government to assist in the prosecution of hate crimes.

House Passes Hate Crimes Legislation

The US House of Representatives today voted in favor of legislation containing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which extends the definition of violent hate crimes to include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.

Frank and Polis Commend Israel for its Commitment to Aggressively Investigating Shooting at LGBT Youth Center in Tel Aviv

Congressmen Barney Frank and Jared Polis today released a letter they sent to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, commending Israeli police for pledging to give the highest priority to apprehending the gunman who killed three young Israelis at an LGBT Youth Center in Tel Aviv on Saturday.

Reps. Frank, Baldwin and Polis Lead Introduction of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Jared Polis (D-CO) today held a press conference to announce the introduction of the 2009 Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Frank's Testimony for Hearing on the Massachusetts Transgender Anti-Discrimination Bill

Text of Barney Frank's testimony about the Massachusetts bill “An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes” (H. 1728/S. 1687) before the Massachusetts’ Joint Committee on the Judiciary.

Statement about Attorney General Coakley's Lawsuit Challenging the Defense of Marriage Act

Congressman Barney Frank's Statement about Attorney General Coakley's Lawsuit Challenging the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)

Congressman Frank Corrects Media Reports on his Response to DOMA Brief

Congressman Barney Frank issued the following statement in response to a newspaper story regarding his position on the brief by the Department of Justice about Smelt v. United States.

Frank Hails Planned Committee Vote on Hate Crimes Bill

Barney Frank today announced that legislation to assist state and local law enforcement with investigation and prosecution of hate crimes is moving forward in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Frank Hails Decision in Support of Transgender Rights

Congressman Barney Frank today welcomed the decision holding that the Library of Congress broke the law against sex discrimination by denying a job to an applicant solely because she transitioned from male to female.

Frank Applauds California Supreme Court Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage

I want to offer to my friends in California both congratulations and reassurance.