sentences:  Gerry Studds (elected in 1972) became the first openly gay man to serve in congress when he publicly announced his sexuality in 1982.Barney Frank (serving since 1981) first spoke publicly about his sexual orientation in 1987.Steve Gunderson, elected in 1980 and outed in 1994, and Jim Kolbe, elected in 1984 and outed in 1996, are two other previous members of Congress who were openly gay.