We see here in Daily Kos the stories of our friends, our compatriots, our companions who are gay.
I find them incredibly brave. I wonder how I would respond and react if I were gay … would I have the nerve to come out, to be open about myself and my sexuality. For me, the answer “yes” is not so obvious it seems.
Barney Frank is one who came out in 1987, AIDS was epidemic and gays were closeted.
Today’s Boston Globe has a very nice article on Congressman Frank, and his story. Why did he come out?
Frank’s sexuality was not news to the Globe reporters in Washington. But newspapers would out someone only in one of two circumstances: He volunteered the information, or he was caught in a gay scandal. “The problem with that,” Frank said, “was that the only people who came to be known as gay were the people who had done something wrong.”
In March, when he announced his retirement, I thought I would write an email to him thanking him for his service, and congratulating him on his upcoming marriage. I went to his web site and found I had to lie. I live in Massachusetts, but am not a constituent of his. So I had to find a zip code that would let me send him an email. [I can only imagine why he limits email this way]. His web site stated that he makes no promises that he would respond.
But I did receive a note from him, saying “Jim and I very much appreciate your good wishes on our forthcoming marriage. We're very happy, and the graciousness of so many others has added to that happiness. Thank you for being part of a very nice time in both of our lives.”
Congressman Frank, thank you for being part of an important time in all of our lives. And I wish you nothing but joy in your marriage and life together with Jim.
p.s. I believe the Globe has a firewall in place. I hope you can find a way in to read the entire article.