Barney Frank Defends 'Uncle Tom' Comments

A backlash erupted over Barney Frank's comments that Log Cabin Republicans and GOProud members are gay Uncle Toms. Frank doesn't care: He doubles down on his comments and defends them in the Huffington Post. Frank explains that gay Republicans who claim to be improving the GOP's attitude toward LGBT rights from within the party are plain wrong. And they should not be bragging about any so-called accomplishments, such as their progress in reducing the amount that Republicans speak ill of homosexuals or getting Paul Ryan to say he'll "willingly engage" with gay GOP members.

"They are urging people to vote for the anti-LGBT candidate over the most supportive LGBT candidate and platform imaginable because the 'antis' are calling us fewer names and are willing to talk to some of us," writes Frank. "It is this willingness to acquiesce in a subordinate status as long as the masters are kinder in tone, although in substance, that emulates Uncle Tom." Read his full column here.