Gays March On Washington

Rep. Barney Frank, the first 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." 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 Massachusetts Democrat said Friday.
Thousands of gay men and women are expected to gather for Sunday's Gay 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 nation's largest gay rights group.

Frank's comments underscore divisions in the gay community over the pace of progress on the gay agenda. Obama's election, coupled with the Democratic control of the House and Senate, boosted hopes in the gay community for breakthroughs on sweeping measures to promote pro gay legislation for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Congress is on the verge of making it a federal crime to assault people because of their sexual orientation. Any assault is already illegal, but the new law will seek to punish those who hurt gay people (or other minorities) more than those who hurt non-minorities. The so-called hate crimes legislation was attached to a major defense bill approved by the House.

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