Frank: Gay Rights March a "Waste of Time"

(AP)  The first openly gay member of Congress says he would rather see gay rights supporters lobbying their elected officials than participating in a planned march on Washington this weekend, calling the demonstration "a waste of time at best."

Rep. Barney Frank, in an interview with The Associated Press, said he considers such demonstrations to be "an emotional release" that does little to pressure Congress.

"The only thing they're going to be putting pressure on is the grass," the Democrat said Friday.

Thousands of gay men and women are expected to gather for Sunday's National Equality March.

Many gay rights advocates have criticized President Barack Obama for not moving faster to keep his campaign promises to extend gay rights, and Congress has also drawn flak for not doing more. Mr. Obama plans to speak Saturday at a dinner hosted by the Human Rights Campaign, the largest U.S. gay rights group.

Frank's comments underscore divisions in the gay community over the pace of progress on civil rights.

President Obama's election, coupled with the Democratic control of the House and Senate, boosted hopes in the gay community for breakthroughs on sweeping measures to end discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

March organizers have said they're no longer willing to quietly wait for Democratic office holders to make good on decades-old promises. They contend that lawmakers' actions should catch up to the growing acceptance of gay relationships.

Organizers say the march is only part of a broader effort that includes the kind of lobbying Frank is urging.

"We hear Congressman Frank when he says this is about getting back into your district and doing the work there," said Kip Williams, co-director of the march. But he said the march in Washington "is about building community and building a network who will go back and do that work."

But Frank said the real problem is gathering enough votes in the House and Senate to win passage of anti-discrimination legislation.

Crimesider Blog: Republicans Revolt Against Gay Hate "Thought Crimes" Law

Gay rights advocates should borrow from the playbooks of the two most effective interest groups, the National Rifle Association and the AARP senior citizens group, said Frank.

"Call or write your representative or senator, and then have your friends call and write their representative or senator," Frank said. "That's what the NRA does. That's what the AARP does."

Congress is on the verge of making it a federal crime to assault people because of their sexual orientation. The so-called hate crimes legislation was attached to a major defense bill approved by the House.
By Associated Press Writer Andrew Miga

[gboyd41]

Consider this, Barney put so much time and effort into FNM because of the name "fannie".

[Vic369]

I don't like Barney Frank, not for his sexual orientation, or his stand against this organized expression of peoples rights to assemble and protest.

I dislike him for being the pointman giving away billions to banks who in turn bought other banks and did not free up lending and went on Junkets. AIG comes to mind, twice.

I also dislike him for a town hall meeting I watched on TV where the audience questions were repeatedly blown off by him as if he was telling them, in my words. I'm going to do this anyway, no matter what you say.

So much for representative government.

[Vic369]

"Congress is on the verge of making it a federal crime to assault people because of their sexual orientation. The so-called hate crimes legislation was attached to a major defense bill approved by the House."

Assualt on anyone is already covered in law. Assault covers a broad spectrum such as verbal, physical and all the in betweens. If I verbally assault someone or pop them in the eye, they were asking for it and with my level of tolerance, had to beg for it. That being said, If you turn out to be Gay, does that automatically mean its a "Hate Crime?" I think not.

I hope this bill is written to protect people against those who would stalk or otherwise intentionally seek confrontations with Gay people. I think they are rare and do require special penalties. Let's not make laws that single out any group or race or be vague about intent.

Our constitution says "All men are created equal" and "We all have equal protection under the law."

[ksmit2]

Don't give Barney such a hard time. Any senator whose live-in boyfriend runs a gay ********** from (the senator's) basement, ends
up in the national news, and gets re elected anyway, can't be "all bad".
You go girl! (or it, or thang, etc.)

[gaypastor]

Hey Barney...here's another quote for ya: "There is NEVER a time in our American democracy that we must ever think we're wrong when we protest. We reserve that right!" - (Martin Luther King). You're decision to go public with a statment such as this simply shows just how much of a sell-out you've become. I'm disgusted that this is how you choose to care for our community.

[armyoftwelve]

Actually barney, gay "marriage" is a waste of time.

[jankebenzone]

The congressgay is right, being gay is a waste of time, its better to spend ones time lobbying officals to set things straight.

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money-01]

At least these teabaggers aren't fake.

[nextgenman09]

No, they're just hoot bumpkins who've been Pavlovianly trained to fear everything.

[frogger581]

I dont think marching is a waste of time, most of the contacts that i've made to build networks and more effectively lobby congressmen have been made at marches such as these.

[Liberal_Hysteria]

The first openly gay congressman could only be a Democrat from Massachusetts.

[frogger581]

Wow you're slow, Barney Frank was elected to congess years before same sex marriage was passed in Massachusetts. Read a book...

[stuart-johns2]

by Liberal_Hysteria October 10, 2009 12:39 PM EDT
The first openly gay congressman could only be a Democrat from Massachusetts
===================

And the first openly gay preacher of religious dogma was a republican.