Barney Frank slams Tisei on gay rights

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, one of the country’s most prominent gay politicians, urged 6th District voters not to vote for the region’s gay candidate for Congress.Frank said Richard Tisei, who is an openly gay Republican, would do a poor job advancing gay rights if he were elected because the party he belongs to is too “right wing.”The retiring Congressman for Massachusetts’ 4th District campaigned for Tisei’s Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. John Tierney, in a conference call Thursday with reporters.”John Tierney’s election as opposed to Rich Tisei’s is better for the advancement of the legal equality we are seeking because if Republicans gain contain control of the House, no bills advancing our rights will come up,” Frank said.Tisei fired back in an interview with The Daily Item, saying he can help push Republicans to a more moderate gay-rights agenda.”I think I will be able to carve out an identity for myself that’s separate from the party and that most people support me on,” he said.Read the full story in Friday’s edition of The Daily Item. For more local election coverage, visit itemlive.com/election