'The Only Thing They're Going to be Putting Pressure On is the Grass'

This is outrageously outrageous! How dare a homophobic member of Congress criticizes a gay rights march!

Oh wait, it's Barney Frank doing the criticizing.

Never mind.

Rep. Barney Frank, the first openly gay member of Congress, says he'd rather see gay rights supporters lobbying their elected officials than marching in Washington this weekend, calling the demonstration "a waste of time at best."

Frank said in an interview with The Associated Press that he considers such demonstrations to be "an emotional release" that does little to pressure Congress.

"The only thing they're going to be putting pressure on is the grass," the Massachusetts Democrat said Friday.

Thousands of gay men and women are expected to gather for Sunday's National Equality March.

Many gay rights advocates have criticized President Barack Obama for not moving faster to keep his campaign promises to extend gay rights, and Congress has also drawn flak for not doing more. Obama plans to speak Saturday at a dinner hosted by the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay rights group.

This weekend's activities in Washington probably won't have much impact with lawmakers, Frank said, because most of them are back in their states or districts for the Columbus Day holiday weekend.

Frank's comments underscore divisions in the gay community over the pace of progress on civil rights.

Obama's election, coupled with the Democratic control of the House and Senate, boosted hopes in the gay community for breakthroughs on sweeping measures to end discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

March organizers have said they're no longer willing to quietly wait for Democratic office holders to make good on decades-old promises. They contend that lawmakers' actions should catch up to the growing acceptance of gay relationships.