Free Republic

Former Massachsuetts Congressman Gerry Studds has died. The 69-year-old Studds died this morning at Boston Univesrity Medical Center. He'd been hospitalized after sustaining head injuries from an accident while walking his dog. Studds was a ranking member of the House Democratic leadership and advocated for New England fishermen and the ocean environment. studds, who grew up in Cohasset, was the first openly gay person elected to Congress. He served from 1973 to 1997. He is survived by his husband, Dean Hara. the couple was among the first same sex couples to be legally married in Massachusetts.