Barney Frank, former congressman and gay-rights pioneer, passed away at the age of 86 at his home. He had been receiving hospice care for congestive heart failure.
Key points
Barney Frank died at the age of 86
He was a former congressman from Massachusetts
Frank was a pioneer for gay rights
He had been receiving hospice care
His death was confirmed by a close friend
Mentioned in this story
Barney FrankUS House Financial Services CommitteeMassachusetts
US Rep. Barney Frank,D-MA, chairman of the US House Financial Services Committee conducts hearings on "Financial Market Regulatory Restructuring." July 10, 2008 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
US Rep. Barney Frank,D-MA, chairman of the US House Financial Services Committee conducts hearings on "Financial Market Regulatory Restructuring." July 10, 2008 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Images
KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Images
Barney Frank, the liberal icon and gay-rights pioneer who represented Massachusetts in Congress for more than three decades, died Tuesday night at his home, according to a close friend who confirmed his death to member station GBH.
He was 86 years old and had been receiving hospice care for congestive heart failure.
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Barney Frank speaks during PFLAG National's Love Takes Justice event at AFT Headquarters on November 18, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Barney Frank speaks during PFLAG National's Love Takes Justice event at AFT Headquarters on November 18, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Paul Morigi/Getty Images/Getty Images
In their conversation, Frank shared an urgent message for Democrats hoping to bounce back from Trump.
He says Democrats have a chance to defeat President Donald Trump's brand of right-wing populism, but only if the party embraces core economic issues instead of polarizing culture fights.
