[marden]

Oct 14, 2006 10:51 am US/Eastern

First Openly Gay Congressman Dies

Gerry Studds Served More Than Two Decades In Congress, Was Embroiled In 1970s Page Scandal

(AP) BOSTON Former U.S. Rep. Gerry Studds, the first openly gay person elected to Congress, died early Saturday at Boston Medical Center, several days after he collapsed while walking his dog, his husband said. He was 69.

Studds fell unconscious Oct. 3 because of what doctors later determined was a blood clot in his lung, Dean Hara said.

Studds regained consciousness, remained in the hospital, and seemed to be improving. He was scheduled to be transferred to a rehabilitation center, but his condition deteriorated Friday and he died at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Hara said.

Hara, who married Studds shortly after gay marriage was legalized in Massachusetts in 2004, said Studds was a pioneer who gave courage to gay people everywhere by winning re-election after publicly acknowledging his homosexuality.

"He gave people of his generation, or my generation, of future generations, the courage to do whatever they wanted to do," said Harra, 49.

Studds was first elected in 1972 and represented Cape Cod and the Islands, New Bedford, and the South Shore for 12 Congressional terms. He retired from Congress in 1997.

In 1983, Studds acknowledged his homosexuality after the page revealed he'd had a relationship with Studds a decade earlier, when the page was 17. Studds was censured for sexual misconduct by the House, then went home to his constituents to answer questions in a series of public meetings and interviews with the press.

wcbstv.com - First Openly Gay Congressman Dies

Studds went on to serve for 14 years after acknowledging his misconduct.

A different time than today. And the difference between the Democrats and Republicans.

That's the only way to explain the difference between what went on with him and what went on with Foley.

[BRussell]

He died because he thought someone else was getting more HOT! congressman-on-page action that him.

[Chuckit]

His name was Studds? Seriously?

[marden]

Originally Posted by Chuckit

His name was Studds? Seriously?

And don't think he didn't use that as part of his 'game.'

[dcmacdaddy]

Gone to the great bath-house in the sky. RIP.