CAMP Profile:  Chatting With Barney Frank

I gulped and tried to act nonchalant. It was only the day before that I’d asked the congressman’s press secretary if the congressman would be willing to do a phone interview with me to help promote his appearance here at a July 19 Stonewall Democrats fundraiser.

The minute the congressman started talking, I recognized that warm, rapid-fire delivery and grabbed for the questions I had thankfully prepared the night before.

I started small, asking the Congressman if he’d been to Rehoboth Beach. He said he had, and had visited some of our restaurants and attended some house parties on summer weekends. He liked the place.

I looked at my list of questions.

"Congressman, what do you think is the most pressing issue right now in the fight for gay equality?" I asked, and Congressman Frank was off and running, far faster than I could write. I started abbreviating.

"A couple of things. One, we need to get a basic anti-discrimination law on the national level—to protect people from losing their jobs. Economic security is very important to people and we are afraid of coming out and losing our jobs. The most important thing is being honest about who we are. When we talk about our lives and partners it’s called coming out. When heterosexuals talk about their lives its called talking. We need a law that protects us.

Second, we need recognition of our relationships. There are people suffering real economic harm because we aren’t recognized. Part of the Defense of Marriage Act that was so obnoxious has got to be repealed. It’s the part that interferes with the rights of the states. It must be repealed. And we also have to address the recognition of domestic partners in immigration.

We need a new administration and a new house to do this because Republicans are increasingly playing to their angry right wing. The administration is in a tough spot. It can’t be seen doing anything supportive, so no good bill is going to come out of this administration."

The Congressman took a quick breath, I shook my cramped hand and asked, "What do you think of the Stonewall Democrats and…."

"I was one of the founders of the Stonewall Democrats (stupid me for not knowing that!) and I think it’s vital to have sensible partisanship. As long as Republicans are in power, we need it. (Delaware Representative) Mike Castle is a good guy but as long as he votes for Tom Delay to be in a leadership position we’re in trouble. What can Stonewall Democrats do? Explain our positions to the voters, let people know the issues, and get people to register to vote. Write letters, lobby, be vocal. That’s what the right wing does and it works. Follow the process, get involved. A lot of our people don’t vote. I don’t know why. But we have to keep talking and making our points."

"What can we do about these conservative judges that are being nominated?" I asked.

"Keep supporting those Democratic senators who are under pressure to give in. Talk to Senators Carper and Biden. Encourage their continued support. Of course the biggest thing we have to do is replace this President. But look, I’ve been in Congress 23 years. Being able to be out and public is very important. There were two big anti-gay laws when I came to Congress. On the books, it said that gay people could not come into this country. It may not have always been enforced, but it was on the books. I made it my business to get that repealed and we did in 1990. In 1993 I tried to mitigate the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell situation. But I did watch President Clinton reverse an anti-gay law that had been in place since 1954. He undid 45 years of gays and lesbians not being able to get a security clearance. He did that by an executive order and it was a big step.

You’ve got to tell your elected officials that you’re watching them and they have to do better or you’ll see to it they aren’t re-elected. If they do better, tell them to do better-better."

"That it?" he asked, letting me know it was. I could just imagine the issues this formidable advocate for gay equality would be dealing with next.

"I look forward to hearing you speak at our July event," I said. "Thanks for your time this morning."

"Right, he said,"See you in July," and hung up.

And I was left to collate my messily scribbled notes and marvel at the Congressman’s knack for summing up complex issues with short, sweet vernacular. For years I tried to explain to people how it feels to be accused of "flaunting it" or "constantly talking about being gay,"

when all I do is talk about my life and my partner like everyone else talks about their families and spouses. But Congressman Frank gave me the perfect words to use.

When gay people talk about their lives, they’re coming out.

Straight people say the same things and they’re talking.

I can’t wait to hear more good advice, clear thinking and sharp phrasing at the Stonewall Democratic Club event.

See story below to find out more.

Congressman Barney Frank to Appear at Fundraiser in Rehoboth
On Saturday, July 19 from 6-8 p.m., Congressman Barney Frank will be the special guest at a reception at the home of Dr. James D’Orta in Rehoboth Beach to benefit The Delaware Stonewall Democrat Club.

Tickets are $35 per person, or a $50 ticket which includes an Individual Membership in the Delaware Stonewall Democrats. (*to be eligible for membership in the Delaware Stonewall Democratic Club, you must be a legal resident of Delaware and be a registered Democrat.)

In addition to Congressman Frank, special guests include Governor Ruth Ann Minner, Delaware Treasurer Jack Markell, Representative Pete Schwartzkopf, and more.