Former Democratic Representative Barney Frank spoke Monday at Hunt Library in an author event co-presented by NC State’s Friends of the Library and Quail Ridge Books & Music, a Raleigh bookstore. 

Frank retired from the House of Representatives in 2013, one year after becoming the first openly gay congressman to get married while in office. 

Frank Stasio, host of WUNC’s “The State of Things,” facilitated the on-stage interview.

Susan Nutter, vice provost and director of libraries administration, introduced Frank as “one of the rare politicians that actually gave us hope.”

The event was one stop in Frank’s book tour, promoting his new book “Frank,” which details the course of his career in American politics from 1967 to his retirement in 2013.

“He’s very entertaining and very intelligent,” said Helen Stewart, floor manager of Quail Ridge Books. “His book is a passionate defense of government and how it can be helpful.”

The event began with a reference to the first chapter of Frank’s book, in which he writes about his youth and discovering two things about himself: He was interested in politics, and he was gay. 

“At 14, I was attracted to two things: politics and other guys,” Frank said. 

The book recalls Frank’s life in politics, beginning in 1976 when he became chief assistant to Boston mayor Kevin White, to his retirement in 2013. He served as a congressman from Massachusetts fourth congressional district from 1980 to 2010.

“If I were to have a career in politics, I realized I would have to be a coward,” Frank said about remaining closeted for part of his career. “But I vowed not to be a hypocrite.”

Frank came out publicly in 1987. It had little effect on his electoral votes.

Throughout his career, Frank showed political support for LGBT rights, abortion access and the decriminalization of drugs, among other issues.

“I believe we should stop criminally prosecuting people because they use drugs we don’t approve of,” Frank said. “Using heroin doesn’t make you want to beat someone over the head. Buying heroin, on the other hand, can.”

From 2001 to 2009, Frank attempted to pass an act that would have decriminalized small amounts of marijuana. The bill ultimately died in congress.

“Sometimes, in politics and life, you have to accept the lesser evil,” Frank said. “Just remember that it’s still evil.”

An ongoing theme in Frank’s book is the power that the government has, and the help it can give its citizens. 

“I want to protect vulnerable people from themselves and their country,” Frank said. “But I can’t protect them from their own stupidity.”