Barney Frank

Twenty-five years ago Barney Frank became the first member of the U.S. Congress to come out as gay. That was about thirty-five years after the Mattachine Society and about a decade and a half beyond Stonewall. So, basically, Barney waited a generation before putting himself out there.

At some point and Elton or a Michael or a Gary, some political figure or famous writer, someone with a name and position of influence, has to stand up and say, "Enough!" I'd like to see it before I die. (Hey, I never thought I'd see a black president of the U.S. in my lifetime, but I am glad I have.) Someone who will not cower and scurry away like Mark Foley, or deny his nature like Jerry, or stay safely in the closet like Michael did for all his life.

And, yes, (before any of you say it) we need the youth, our YFs, to speak out also. There may not be any strong pedophile groups today, but there are some very good Youth Liberation organizations which may eventually help our young people to achieve freedom. These Youth Liberation organizations include, but are not limited to, ASFAR, NYRA, and the Free Child Project.