January 14, 2009 V. Gene Robinson
On Monday, the Obama team announced that Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire will deliver the invocation Sunday in the first of many inaugural events this week. Robinson was elected the first gay bishop in the Episcopal church in 2003. Robinson, an internationally recognized leader in gay rights, spoke out against Obama's controversial choice of Rev. Rick Warren to lead the opening prayer of Tuesday's inaugural ceremony. Warren is a right-wing evangelical who has equated gay marriage with incest and pedophilia and was an active supporter of Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California. Criticism of his intolerance apparently hasn't slowed Warren down much. Last week, Warren sent out an e-mail offering up his Saddleback Church to Anglicans who split off from the Episcopalian Church over the question of whether gay clergy, such as Robinson, should be allowed in the church. Many have questioned whether the invitation was extended to Robinson in order to atone for Rev. Warren's involvement in Tuesday's inaugural events, but the Obama transition team has stated that Robinson's involvement had been in the works well beforehand. While Robinson clearly has no qualms about speaking up for his own beliefs, he also has no intention of forcing them upon anyone. He has stood up for the gay community, but he clearly doesn't see himself as a spokesman for one group in particular, especially in his duties during the inauguration. He told the Concord Monitor he isn't sure just what he'll say at the invocation, but he won't adhere strictly to Episcopalian values, or even the Bible: "While that is a holy and sacred text to me, it is not for many Americans," Robinson said. "I will be careful not to be especially Christian in my prayer. This is a prayer for the whole nation." By being willing to speak to all Americans, regardless of their beliefs or orientation, Robinson truly embodies the spirit of Obama's mission of openness and collaboration. Still, he will speak out when he sees things that he feels are downright wrong. Hopefully, his example of love and acceptance on Sunday will be noted by Warren and bigots all over the nation. * * * Nominated by the BuzzFlash staff.
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