Gene Robinson: Gay Bishop Giving Obama Inauguration Prayer

New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, a vocal gay rights leader, will open President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration with a prayer on Sunday's kick-off event at the Lincoln Memorial.

"I am writing to tell you that President-Elect Obama and the Inaugural Committee have invited me to give the invocation at the opening event of the Inaugural Week activities, We are One, to be held at the Lincoln Memorial," Robinson wrote in an email to friends.

The announcement comes after weeks of outcry from the gay community over Obama's choice of evangelical, anti-gay pastor Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation.

"It's important for any minority to see themselves represented in some way," Robinson said in an interview with the Concord Monitor. "Whether it be a racial minority, an ethnic minority or, in our case, a sexual minority. Just seeing someone like you up front matters."

Robinson is the first openly gay diocesan bishop in the Anglican Communion. "God never gets it wrong. The church often takes a long time to get it right. It is a human institution, but one capable of self-correction," Robinson told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. "I believe in my heart that the church got it wrong about homosexuality. There is great excitement in my heart to be living in a time when the church is starting to get it right."

Robinson said he would love to sit down with Rick Warren but believed that the California pastor has "perpetrated lies about the gay, lesbian and bisexual community."

Comments

[diogenes1967]

We should deal with the factions just as we deal with any other group or party that claims to be revolutionary. We should try to judge, somehow, whether they are operating in a sincere revolutionary fashion and from a really oppressed situation. (And we will grant that if they are women they are probably oppressed.) If they do things that are unrevolutionary or counterrevolutionary, then criticize that action. If we feel that the group in spirit means to be revolutionary in practice, but they make mistakes in interpretation of the revolutionary philosophy, or they do not understand the dialectics of the social forces in operation, we should criticize that and not criticize them because they are women trying to be free. And the same is true for homosexuals. We should never say a whole movement is dishonest when in fact they are trying to be honest. They are just making honest mistakes. Friends are allowed to make mistakes. The enemy is not allowed to make mistakes because his whole existence is a mistake, and we suffer from it. But the women's liberation front and gay liberation front are our friends, they are our potential allies, and we need as many allies as possible.

[diogenes1967]

We must gain security in ourselves and therefore have respect and feelings for all oppressed people. We must not use the racist attitude that the White racists use against our people because they are Black and poor. Many times the poorest White person is the most racist because he is afraid that he might lose something, or discover something that he does not have. So you're some kind of a threat to him. This kind of psychology is in operation when we view oppressed people and we are angry with them because of their particular kind of behavior, or their particular kind of deviation from the established norm.

Remember, we have not established a revolutionary value system; we are only in the process of establishing it. I do not remember our ever constituting any value that said that a revolutionary must say offensive things towards homosexuals, or that a revolutionary should make sure that women do not speak out about their own particular kind of oppression. As a matter of fact, it is just the opposite: we say that we recognize the women's right to be free. We have not said much about the homosexual at all, but we must relate to the homosexual movement because it is a real thing. And I know through reading, and through my life experience and observations that homosexuals are not given freedom and liberty by anyone in the society. They might be the most oppressed people in the society.

[diogenes1967]

During the past few years strong movements have developed among women and among homosexuals seeking their liberation. There has been some uncertainty about how to relate to these movements.

Whatever your personal opinions and your insecurities about homosexuality and the various liberation movements among homosexuals and women (and I speak of the homosexuals and women as oppressed groups), we should try to unite with them in a revolutionary fashion. I say "whatever your insecurities are" because as we very well know, sometimes our first instinct is to want to hit a homosexual in the mouth, and want a woman to be quiet. We want to hit a homosexual in the mouth because we are afraid that we might be homosexual; and we want to hit the women or shut her up because we are afraid that she might castrate us, or take the nuts that we might not have to start with.

[JohnJames]

And OJ is innocent.

[diogenes1967]

Baby, I am about to post the full-text of the essay!

[diogenes1967]

http://www.freeessays.cc/db/2/aky159.shtml

Here is the link

[diogenes1967]

Moreover, The Black Panthers were early advocates of homosexual rights during the very early stages of the gay rights movement. Placing of gay rights on the 1970 agenda of the BPP distinguishes the role the Panthers play in American history. This role definitely contradicts the media's image of the BPP. Huey P. Newton made a historic statement encouraging members of Black community to refrain from language that would turn our friends (referring to gays) off. Newton also said we must relate to the homosexual movement, because it is the real thing. Newton also believed that gays could very well be the most oppressed group of people in America (Newton 53). Alycee Lane and William B. Kelley, two prominent gays activists, praised the Panthers for becoming the first non-gay Black organization and radical group to compare the struggle of gays and Blacks and request that they work together to bring about change. As a result of Newton's stand on gay rights and racial justice, many grassroots organizations were created.

[brooklyncitizen]

Thanks for posting this- it's important history to connect with.

[Claudiajoy]

Connect with or hijack?

[Claudiajoy]

Huey Newton also used drugs as so many Black people do today, should we embrace that habit also? Our people are broken, defeated, & but not destroyed. Booker T., Marcus G., Elijah, Malcolm, & Martin King did not pioneer for the lgbt faux civil rights movement.

[diogenes1967]

Yeah, white folks funded a literary and artistic movement of black and (mostly) gay and lesbian men. It was called the Harlem Renaissance.

[jessejuju]

I wonder sometimes if mentioning the fact that the woman who walked next to Martin Luther King, Coretta Scott King, and her continued support holds any value when MLK's name is brought up on this right.

King's support of LGBT rights was strongly criticized by some black pastors. She called her critics "misinformed" and said that Martin Luther King's message to the world was one of equality and inclusion.

I think enough was said there.

[Claudiajoy]

I respect Huey Newton & the Panthers. Huey also had a personal d. habit, he doesn't set a bar for our civil rights movements it was pioneered before the Panthers. Our people are broken, defeated, but not destroyed. Booker T., Marcus G., Elijah, Malcolm, & Martin King did not pioneer for the lgbt faux civil rights movement.

[diogenes1967]

And malcolm had a drug habit too, sister! Are you saying he was high when he gave this speech? (maybe he was!)

[David429]

Freedom, and safety for everyone good. Prejudiced hate mongers using religion as a convenient shield, bad. The church is just proving it's status as an outdated, and ignorant cult. You christians quit inflicting your delusions on me and all the rest of us who just want freedom to live as we choose and safety from persecution by people like you.

[SonofLiberty1]

David,

Hate consumes like fire.

I hope you find Christ.

[suec03]

Listen more closely! David spoke HURT, not hate.

[Claudiajoy]

What you posted applys directly to yourself. So check yourself for tolerance brother David.

[tr24]

There are quite a few murderers who thought they could "live" as they choose. Rules and laws are here for a reason.

[complice]

That's a nice little false equivalence you've construced there. You're essentially suggesting that consenting adults who engage in same-sex couplings are somehow analagous to murderers? How does someone even respond to something like that? It's utter bullsh*t.

[suec03]

Why would you compare a loving, committed, monogamous adult relationship with murder? I will never understand this skewed interpretation of the Bible.

[Steamboater]

tr24 needs some reason himself. He or she has obviously lost it, as much so as Rick Warren.

[merger]

David, I am one of those "Christians"and I have never persecuted you or anyone. I dare say that when you call Christianity a cult, an ignorant cult, it is akin to associating gays with pedophiles( as Mr. Warren has done). What is more indicative of a prejudiced, hate-monger than the way you refer to Christians? You can't use hate speech toward one group(Christians) and accuse them of such meanness then use the very tactics you so seemingly despise to attack them. It gives your cause no credibility and fans the flames of hate and prejudice on both sides. I have been a Christian most of my life, and I have never protested against your rights or yelled slurs at gays. Never. I wouldn't even know anyone who behaves that way-- on either side of the issue. Shame to both sides who behave so unseemly and disrespectfully, and who harbor and spread such hatred and intolerance.

[Steamboater]

The church isn't a cult but a boy's club that lords it over women and contributes to the ignorance and hate against Gay people.

[SouthPrairie]

"We are not a red America, we are not a blue America, we are the United States of America."

--Barack Obama

Accept diversity and freedom of religion. It is not about me it is about we.

[JohnJames]

If you're going to be trite at least get the grammar right - about us.

[Steamboater]

So you never made typos? If you're going to post, at least say something.

[Steamboater]

"We are not a red America, we are not a blue America, we are the United States of America."

When you think of what the forces that be have done to minorities, all this is just fluff intended to make everyone feel good. the reality of America is a hateful, if not ignorant, one and we should be honest enough to admit it. The above Obama statement is just another platitude that in effect is meaningless and about as meaningful as Palin's, "You betcha!"

[SonofLiberty1]

tr24,

I wouldn't go that far though...

I beleive Obama is just trying to be inclusive..no wrong in that.

I do believe that there is a "Gay Fairy Tale" though, just as there are many other fairy tales out there.

The truth is that more than 90% of humanity isn't gay and I think that most of us really don't care what people do in the privacy of their own homes.

But to decide, for whatever reason, that any minoritiy has the right to just tell eveyrone else that they are wrong, is just plain stupid.

Biology doesn't lie.

Two gay parents can't conceive a child biologically.

There is, however, a way that singles do fit into society and I wish that folks that are gay could
conceive of that.

In any event, the depression that we are in is going to change everything.

After a few years, there won't be so much talk about being gay, rather the talk will be, can I keep my job, my house or apartment or car. For some it will be, where is the next meal going to come from.

Just plain existence, when faced with that, you won't have time to worry about who's gay, who's not and who can get married...

Very few will have the money to get married.

[tr24]

Great points SoL...I haven't a problem with anything you've said.

[Claudiajoy]

getting a stable job after college, getting healthcare while in school.

[SonofLiberty1]

Claudia, that's if you have the money to stay in school..these days...it's hard to even do that...Hopefully though, in four years, things will be better.

My sister, who has 3 degrees and teaches now in Madrid, told me yesterday that her best friend, a girl...and an engineer, will lose her job in March...she's never been unemployed.

I hope the very best for you:)

[SeanGardner]

"I beleive Obama is just trying to be inclusive..no wrong in that."

That's the whole point of his inauguration line-up. The diversity of views really hits a pragmatic tone.

[lizr]

yeah, when you have to bridge such a divided country, it's a tough task.

Made tougher by some of the hat ers in this thread.

[AJBF]

So if biology/procreation is the yardstick to measure the "truth" of a relationship, does that mean that older people who can't conceive should not get married, or younger heterosexual couples who happen to be barren be denied civil rights? What "gay fairy tale" are you referring to?

Also, when the white majority discriminated against the black minority and denied them basic civil rights as was the case in the pre-civil rights era, according to your thinking these blacks were "stupid" if they thought they had the "right" to tell whites their prejudice was wrong?

[Claudiajoy]

Please don't compare my race to a choice. Hijacking our civil rights movement just diminishes our "real cause", & insults our ancestors. Martin King would be flipping over in his grave.

[Claudiajoy]

Admittedly, traditional marriage as a whole fails to live up to these ideals, despite this, it has the potential to live up to these ideals and commonly does. At its core, same-sex marriage cannot meet the same goals that traditional marriage has espoused. Specifically, it cannot encourage parentage by biological parents of different sex, nor can it bridge the male-female divide. This is not to say that same-sex marriage cannot have benefits of its own. It is merely to show that the goals must, by definition, be different.

[tr24]

Barring age, disease, and other maladies those now old people of opposite sexes COULD reproduce at one time. Two gay men or women can't reproduce regardless! And please, please stop comparing blacks and/or slavery to gays! When gays are publicly lynched and enslaved for three centuries, and have a body count of over 10 million in the Atlantic alone then you can make this false argument. Honestly, many blacks probably will find your statements highly inflammatory, but you probably don't care. And then you wonder why blacks don't support your "cause."

[BeltwayInsider]

"any minoritiy has the right to just tell eveyrone else that they are wrong" - WTF is that?

Are gay people really trying to say that straight couples are wrong to marry? I don't think so.

Is the majority trying to tell gay people that they are wrong to want to marry? It certainly looks that way to me...

[SonofLiberty1]

Sorry, I just don't get how several million years of evolution is wrong.
There is a reason that the concept of The Nuclear Family exists.
Civilization uses the concept through Nation States.

In a religious context, my religion does not provide for the concept of gay marriage, it does provide for the cocept of heterosexual marriage and indeed holds the Nuclear Family to be sacred.

As in "The Feast of The Holy Family".

[tr24]

"Is the majority trying to tell gay people that they are wrong to want to marry? It certainly looks that way to me..."

You betcha and the country is better for it. We should not go down this slippery winding slope and open up a potential Pandora's box.

[Gunga-Din]

Dems are bigots about transvestites. Probably is easy to invite a shemale bishop, too.

[Claudiajoy]

what? eww...yuk... to say Dems is making a sweeping generalization.

[diogenes1967]

OK, I am going to take this a a COMPLETE joke meant to add levity to all of this.

[TDotO]

OBAMA IS A FREAK!!!!!!!

GAY bishops
rick warren.
..hillary ...lol

[Claudiajoy]

What? Obama is a brand new president attempting to be inclusive although making tremendous mistakes. He's allowed to make mistakes. Rick Warren does more to help people with A I D S then that faux Bishop.

Please check yourself.

[tr24]

Facts are lost on most people here.

I'm still uncertain how one can reconcile homosexuality and the Christian faith, when the tenets of the faith couldn't be clearer on this issue. Considering he was married to a woman first only to leave her for another man doesn't exactly bode well for his standards on ethics. But I am sure that will be a moot point for most posters here.

[4 Real]

Max Blumenthal did a story about Rick Warren's work in Africa--interesting stuff. Particularly the condom burnings.

http://maxblumenthal.com/2009/01/rick-warrens-africa-problem/

[AbbieXHoffman]

Ahhhha. Aids is not just a gay problem. Wow your b*gotry is astounding.

[SueMVetforObama]

Obama is beginning to make good on help for the elderly poor! They are invisible to you.......

Read the breaking news ticker at the top of the page. He is one good man!

Go Obama!!!!!!!

[tr24]

It is really pathetic that Obama has to spend time trying to appease gays. Regardless of the fairy tale many people want to believe, most people are against homosexuality and inviting this openly gay bishop to his inauguration is simply laughable. Considering gays didn't bother supporting him to begin with, I consider this a futile attempt to pander to an insatiable, single issue voting block.

[lizr]

Yawn.

You wrong on every count here, esp that gays didnt support O.

If we had spent less money and time working for O we could have spent more time on our own self interest,

i e defeating Prop 8 in CA.

[tr24]

Yawn...again.

It is no secret that Obama received far less support from the GLBT community than other democratic candidates. Don't kid yourself because you aren't fooling anyone.

[JohnJames]

lizr - you're not supposed to be responding to tr@lls :)

[Claudiajoy]

IYour correct, but it's not really laughable more like something to cry about. it doesn't matter if they supported him or not, they are a special interest group just like so many others that supported him. They don't deserve any special privileges.

[elusiveyo]

you sound like a bigot, a very hateful one at that

[kutkreata]

What I find laughable is that they have spent the weeks attacking religion & the faithful, yet embrace this bishop. I guess religion is okay as long as you agree with them.

[SeanGardner]

good point

[tr24]

co-signing 100%

[JohnJames]

The faithful are always OK when you agree with them. What else? Do you also agree with Islamic terrorists? Aren't they the "faithful " too?

[Claudiajoy]

faux Bishop. They are forcing their lifestyle on everyone using whatever vehicle they can manipulate even religion.

[AJBF]

Where did you get the notion that gays did not support Obama to begin with? You are dead wrong in this.

[DHC]

Dear tr24, allow me to introduce myself. I'm a man. I have green eyes, dark hair, and I'm gay. Oh and I'm 54 yo. I don't want to be appeased, I just want equal rights in our country, that's all. I'm not a single issue voter, never have been. It appears from your post that you know a lot about gay people, so I thought I'd take a minute and add to your vast knowledge. You're right, I'm insatiable about certain things at times, but it has nothing to do with my voting or my block.

Thanks for thinking of "the gays," I'm certain we will all express our gratitude tomorrow night during our weekly "all gay people in the USA" meeting. It's the recruitment thing, you know, we gays have to keep our recruitment numbers up, it's mandatory.

In closing, I would like to ask you how you know, in your words, "most people are against homosexuality?" I will take your answer to the "all gay people in the USA" meeting tomorrow night because I didn't know that.

xo

[tr24]

Um...how many states have introduced pro-gay/ gay marriage legislation and how many times has it failed versus passed. I think that is a pretty good barometer. Enjoy your meeting.

[Stud99]

Good old Democrat pandering.

[Gunga-Din]

USA is the larger gays, lesbians and transvestites country in the wolrd. So wil be correct a gay bishop at ID.

[Claudiajoy]

Yeah right! I don't think so.

[M1]

If you did think it might hurt you honey.

[brooklyncitizen]

What is really irksome is how 90% of the people whether religious or not pretend they know what the Bible says. First of all- which Bible? King James? The Catholic Bible? It really takes a Bible scholar to decipher and present the information contained in the Bible-much of which is cultural and historical. Then there is Theology, something that Fundamentalists don't seem to have any use for (along with Philosophy and Science).

Paul's letter to the Romans (the only place in the bible were homosexuality is mentioned) must be understood in the context of whom he was addressing and the historical context. The original text was in Greek and when he uses the word PHYSIS (Gk) natural he does not refer to natural laws but to behaviour that is characteristic or true to the self. When people behave unexpectedly then in this context they are behaving "unaturally" .

Lastly in both Romans and Corinthians he holds abstinence and celibacy as the highest goal to lead a spiritual life and claims this for himself. Personally after reading about the saints and devout mystics the call for abstinence is less a criticism of sexuality and more a celebration of single minded devotion.Relationships do extract attention, energy and focus. The Dalai Lama once said he was tempted to get a cat but even that would be too much of an "attachment" which is what Buddhists try to overcome.

[diogenes1967]

Thank you, great post! And I have studied some of this stuff.

[Montgriz]

Damn! Try as I might, I just cannot understand why religious whackos or others of their ilk, including most heterosexual people are so afraid of gays and not lesbians....what difference does it make who pairs off with who? I don't get it...never did, just how being gay somehow endangers the marriages of religious people and Mormons.....are they secretly gay? Am I? Was Jesus? Mohammed? Moses?....does it matter? Sometimes the stupidity of people just blows me away...if you will pardon the expression.