Gerry Studds, First Out Congressman, Dies at 69
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Gerry Studds led a remarkable life, one well worthy of a memoir. That he decided not to write one was characteristic of the man. Articulate, witty, and enormously smart, he captivated audiences large and small; he was, in short, charismatic. But his persona was never about him, an almost eerie quality in a politician. Principles motivated Gerry Studds. He didn’t care about fame.

This was perhaps the main reason for his continued success in the U.S. House of Representatives after becoming, in 1983, the first member of it to announce that he was gay.