It was perhaps fitting that Representative Barney Frank met his future husband, Jim Ready, at a political fund-raiser in 2005.
“I told him I had a crush on him for 20 years,” said Mr. Ready, recalling that as a teenager he was inspired by Mr. Frank’s public declaration that he was gay.
And what did Mr. Frank make of that? “That I’m being rewarded for coming to this fund-raiser,” he said with a laugh.
Mr. Frank, 72, and Mr. Ready, 42, were married in Newton, Mass., part of Mr. Frank’s district, on Saturday in a low-key ceremony on the banks of the Charles River. Gov. Deval L. Patrick of Massachusetts officiated. The guests included Representative Nancy Pelosi, the House minority leader, as well as Senator John Kerry and Representatives Dennis J. Kucinich and Steny H. Hoyer.
Mr. Frank, Democrat of Massachusetts, became, in 1987, the first sitting member of Congress to volunteer that he was gay. He is now the first to be married to a partner of the same sex. Both bridegrooms said they recognized the historical significance of the ceremony, which lasted less than five minutes. Gov. Patrick told the guests that Mr. Frank had requested that the service “be short and to the point.”
I don't know about the rest of you but this put a huge smile on my face.
Barney Frank has been one of the most courageous Congressmen that I have ever known, never afraid to take on the Right Wingers and call them out on their bullshit, so for him to finally have this special moment is just awesome in my opinion.
You know my favorite thing about this marriage equality thing, you know besides the whole equality part, is that watching these people demonstrate such joy at the idea of FINALLY being able to commit to their partners through the act of marriage, does this twice divorced 52 year old heart good.
I guess it is never too late to be reminded of the beauty of love.
And didn't they both look so handsome! I'm 61 years old and look upon interracial marriage as a matter of fact. I can only hope that my grandchildren will sometime look at gay marriage the same way. Both are part of Marriage Equality.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations & best wishes to this courageous couple!
ReplyDeleteLove is gender-blind, we need marriage equality for all.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the happy couple!
May their love grow by leaps and bounds. . . . .
ReplyDeleteCongrats to them.
ReplyDeleteI still recall other decades the pre-tea same delusional, wrongly righteous, bull droppings, hating GOP calling him Barney F(anti-gay) word.
Of course, the hate probably came from these supposedly straight and pretend total heterosexual men who were probably jealous that Barney had balls to stand by his convictions, be himself and could stand alone taking crap from the bullying republican crowd.
Bunch of GOP/tea wimps who only have power when they stand together and cheat, lie, steal, are dishonest, unethical, back up their hate with a gun, fists or hateful rhetoric.
I posted this story on my Facebook last night with the comment that I long for the day when a story like this is not news.
ReplyDelete!Congratulations Barney and Jim!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful journey as you build your new life together with Love, Understanding, Joy, Peace, and a Fine Sense of Humor.
Congratulations to them both. Barney Frank is a man I've admired for some time. I wish them the best.
ReplyDeleteOh, look, two happy people!
ReplyDeleteWill someone please explain to me why they find this scary.
Sorry, I think the age gap is too much for any couple. Even if they've known each other for years. Maybe it will last, but having a common frame of reference (besides sexuality)for your past and future is important. Their frames must be very different. Maybe that will all be trumped by love.
ReplyDeleteYou're not sorry at all. You just had to be the fly in the ointment. Someone piss in your cornflakes this morning?
DeleteWhat is this "age" of which you speak, 8:36? :-)
DeleteRegardless of what you or anybody else thinks, it is of no importance to Barney and Jim. This is their Life, their Love, their Marriage. That is what is important to them.
DeleteWorry about something else...
like OMG Mitt Romney!
Peace, Love and Knishes
Congratulations to Barney and Jim. I wish you both joy, happiness and success in your marriage.
DeleteAge gap? lol They're both above the age of legal consent.
Get over it.
Age is just a number. There are people in their twenties who are down-to-earth and responsible. There are people in their fifties who are drifters who can't keep a job... it isn't a new "thing" - Winston Churchill's mother's second and third husbands were much younger. Her third husband was in his thirties when she was in her sixties... She was a vivacious woman and sought after... Chronological age doesn't matter, imo.
DeleteI wish them the best.
ReplyDeleteThe joy on their faces is a beautiful sight. May they always be as happy as they were at that moment.
ReplyDeleteThey both look so happy! Congratulations to the two of them! I've always admired Barney Frank - he's done a terrific job in Congress!
ReplyDeleteI don’t think I’ve ever opposed gay marriage, but for a long time I thought civil unions should be adequate and nationwide.
ReplyDeleteBut, when I see the JOY of being allowed real marriage, from Andrew Sullivan, George Takei , and now Barney, I admit I was shortchanging them.
Thank You for your honesty, Darlene.
DeleteI admire that quality a lot.
The age gap is a problem but maybe not insurmountable. And they could always get diveorced as in vogue these days. Which brings up the question of why you jesse, aren't getting married to Dennnis. A commitment to each other would be much safer than your present practice of you know what. And of course your dotter would be happy to see you murried again too.
ReplyDeleteLOL!!! STFU Wallow and learn how to spell...oh yeah I forgot...drop outs can't spell!
DeletePoor Wallow and Beefy...they can forget about ever walking down the aisle with a man OR a woman!
Who would ever want to marry those two shrews...especially when they would have to look at the Head Gargoyle Baldy all damn day!
So go ahead and "hate" on Barney Frank all you want...he has something you two stanky bitches will never have....a HUSBAND! LOL!!!
A committment to spellcheck and an English class could benefit you greatly.
DeleteThe joy and pride on their faces says it all.
ReplyDeleteI wish them many years of happiness, love and peace.
I was disappointed when Mr. Frank said he was retiring at the end of his term in Congress. His insights and his ability to articulate clearly always got my attention. When I was watching the White House Correspondents Dinner, I decided that if I could have attended, I would want to be seated at Barney Frank's table for the best conversation.
ReplyDeleteI hope he does not entirely retire from politics. He and his partner have the perfect name for a consulting company: Frank and Ready. Best wishes!
But at 72 he deserves to retire, but he will be missed by many.
DeleteBig congrats to Barney and Jim!
ReplyDeleteOT: 52???? Gryphen, when the f*ck did you become way older than me?
Bravo to the happily married couple. I love it! :-))))
ReplyDeleteFrom a proud mother of a gay son. :-))))
The World Will Always Welcome Lovers!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and All the Best to Barney and Jim!
I don't know why, but I chuckled a little when the article refers to them as "two bridegrooms", wouldn't "two grooms" suffice?
I love Barney, he is such a goof ball with so much common sense. Just look at the pride in his face---says it all, doesn't it. Warms the heart.
ReplyDelete