Why does Barney Frank feel the National Equality March won be effective?
WASHINGTON – Rep. Barney Frank, an openly gay member of Congress, says he’d rather see gay rights supporters lobbying their elected officials than marching in 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. 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
