Out Spotlight XVIII

Since today is Easter, we will focus on an out member of the clergy. The Right Reverend V. Gene Robinson is the first openly gay bishop in the U. S. Episcopal Church. Robinson came out in the '80s, after his divorce, and has been with his current partner for 20 years. They are planning a wedding in June, because Robinson says, "I always wanted to be a June bride."

Robinson received his M. Div. from the Episcopal General Theological Seminary in New York City. While doing an internship at the University of Vermont, he met his future wife. A month into their relationship, he told her he thought he might be gay. The two discussed it and decided to marry anyway, and had two children. They moved to New Hampshire and started a business and ministry doing retreats in the winter and a children's horse camp in the summer. Robinson's ministry has focused on youth, clergy wellness, sexuality, and AIDS. Robinson's ex-wife still runs the horse camp.

Robinson came out and sold the business to his ex-wife. He met his current partner, Mark Andrew, in 1987. When they moved in together, they had their new home blessed by a bishop. Robinson is very close to his daughters and still friends with his ex-wife.

In 1988, Robinson was elected Canon to the Ordinary, which was the executive assistant to the bishop of New Hampshire. He held this post for 17 years, until he was elected bishop in 2003. Before his election to bishop was ratified, Robinson was accused of both inappropriate touching and having links to a porn site on his website. Both allegations were debunked and Robinson was consecrated under heavy security and wearing a bullet-proof vest.

Many clergy within the Episcopal Church were unhappy with Robinson's consecration. Nineteen bishops wrote a letter warning of a possible schism. Retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu said he did "not see what all the fuss was about" and this would not affect the Church in South Africa. The controversy continues even now. Robinson was not invited by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Lambeth Conference, an invitation only gathering of bishops of the Anglican Communion. Prior to this conference, a group of conservative bishops will be meeting in Jerusalem to discuss Robinson's consecration. This meeting is perceived as potentially schismatic.

Bishop Robinson's website

Happy Easter from Peabunny and Carina, the official Easter bunnies of OMG! Click here to read Carina's story as a discarded Easter rabbit.