Gerry Studds, a democrat from Massachusetts and the first openly gay man elected to Congress has died, according to MSNBC. He was 69. He served from 1973-1997.
In 1983, he admitted to sexual relationship with a 17 year page and was censored by the House. Following the censure, he received a standing ovation when he returned home to his district. His constituents continued to return him to Washington for several more elections.
After he left congress, he was employed by the fishing industry as a lobbyist and had a marine sanctuary named in his honor.
He is survived by his long term partner, Dean T. Hara. Mr. Studds and Mr. Dean were married in May, 2005 in Massachusetts, one week after same sex marriages became legal there.
A cause of death has not been released as of yet.
Headline from MSNBC. Bio details from Wikipedia.
Update Trifecta reports he died from injuries suffered in a fall while walking his dog.