Congressman Barney Frank on LGBT Federal Rights

Openly gay Congressman Barney Frank is co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus alongside Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). The duo recently released an “It Gets Better” video, along with openly gay Congress members Jared Polis (D-CO) and David Cicilline (D-RI), offering a message of hope and encouragement to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth and those questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Frank was also in attendance for a recent "Out in Israel Month" screening of Mom and Dad, I Have Something to Tell You, a documentary on Israeli TV personality Assi Azar. At the event Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson, host of OUTTAKE VOICES™, spoke with Congressman Frank about the film, LGBTQ teen bullying, and federal LGBT civil rights—and he didn't hold back. When asked if he thought any federal legislation for LGBTQ issues have a chance of passing in the next year, Congressman Frank stated, “None whatsoever with the Republicans in charge. The only chance you ever have to adopt pro-LGBT legislation is if you have a Democratic President, House and Senate. I wish that wasn’t the case. In 1976 Jimmy Carter and Gerry Ford were equal on the LGBT issues. Since then the Democrats have gotten a lot better, not quite perfect, and the Republicans have gotten a lot worse. So long as you have Republicans in power there simply is no chance. I do believe if we were to get a Democratic House, Senate and President we could move forward with some things but as long as the Republicans are in power we have to hold our own. In fact, if you were to get a Republican President we would have to face the very real likelihood, I think, of 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' to be reinstated by that President.”

Listen to the full interview, then watch the LGBT Equality Caucus' "It Gets Better Video."

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