Frank Predicts Equality in His Lifetime

Rep. Barney Frank, the longest-serving openly gay member of Congress, predicted that the United States could see an end to legal discrimination against LGBT people in his lifetime.

According to Reuters, Frank spoke of being on the verge of "major breakthroughs" at the Reuters Future Face of Finance Summit on Wednesday.

"He pointed to President Barack Obama's decision last month to stop defending a law that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, and a vote by Congress that will lead to an end of the ban on gays serving openly in the military," reports Reuters.

The Massachusetts congressman, who is 70 years old, said, "I can foresee now an end to legal inequality based on sexual orientation and gender equality some time in my lifetime."

Frank was first elected to the House in 1980 and came out in 1987. The Democrat plans to seek a 17th term next year and write a book on the history of LGBT rights once he retires, reports Reuters.