Right Rev. V. Gene Robinson is the Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire, and is openly gay. Robinson was chosen to give the invocation at the January 18, 2009, opening ceremony of the Inauguration Week festivities. The prayer will be given at the Lincoln Memorial, the same place where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have A Dream" speech.The Huffington Post: Gene Robinson: Gay Bishop Giving Obama Prayer (January 12, 2009)
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It was announced that Bishop Robinson would deliver the prayer about a month after it was reported that Pastor Rick Warren, who supported the California gay marriage ban, Prop 8, would deliver the invocation at Obama's inauguration ceremony.
Americans who turn out at the Mall on Inauguration day will have the opportunity to see Bishop Gene Robinson's invocation for a second time. Yesterday's program will be shown on large screens on the Mall to entertain the crowd.Ben Smith: Inaugural Committee will rebroadcast Robinson on Mall
Today's broadcast will also include Robinson's opening prayer, which controversially, HBO did not air yesterday. It is currently uncertain as to whether the TV station had anything to do with the decision not to air the opening prayer.AfterElton: Developing: HBO says they aren't to blame for not including Gene Robinson in concert special
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Elected as the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire in June 2003Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire: The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson
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Robinson will give the invocation at the opening event of the Inaugural Week activitiesThe Huffington Post: Gene Robinson: Gay Bishop Giving Obama Prayer (January 12, 2009)
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Will deliver a prayer at the Lincoln Memorial
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Before the 2008 election, Robinson met with Barack Obama to discuss issues affecting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communityThe New York Times: Gay Bishop Plans His Civil Union Rite (January 12, 2009)
