Barney Frank, a member of the Democratic Party, served as a Massachusetts representative in the US House of Representatives from 1981 all the way to 2013. In 1987, he came out as gay and quickly became one of the most prominent gay politicians in the United States. While this may be a career death sentence for some districts in the US, he was lucky to represent a more easy-going and politically liberal area where he didn't have to worry about getting voted out.
Still, he had to keep one secret that he feared would oust him—he was also an atheist. Is it tougher to be a gay politician in 1987 than an atheist one in 2013? According to a recent Gallup poll, atheists are the least electable among many underrepresented groups; only about 6% of Americans say they don't believe in a higher power.
There are many things voters don't mind, but when it comes to not believing in God, you'd better keep your beliefs—or lack thereof—to yourself.
