(Editor’s note: San Diego Gay & Lesbian News has an exclusive local media partnership with QNotes in presenting special LGBT community-oriented coverage of the 2012 Democratic National Convention, which will be Sept. 4-6 in Charlotte, N.C.)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Openly gay Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts addressed the last DNC LGBT Caucus on Thursday, and later gave a speech on the convention floor.

Frank, an architect of the new marriage equality plank approved with the platform earlier this week, will step down from his office in January.