» Gay Bishop Backs Obama, Skirts IRS?
Openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson has endorsed Barack Obama for President and it may get him in trouble with the IRS. "While endorsing specific issues and or programs is not uncommon, lending the support of the episcopal office to a single candidate is uncommon. It also skirts US tax laws, as clergy or church endorsements are prohibited by a 1954 amendment to the Internal Revenue Code." Robinson said of Obama, "we have someone who is utterly sympathetic to our full and equal rights as citizens.” Amen. |
|
Judith Light and Gene Robinson were on hand last night to celebrate the release of Save Me, a flick that looks at the ever-dramatic ex-gay movement. In the movie, directed by Robert Cary, Chad Allen and Robert Gant play two gay men who battle with their gay demons, while Light encourages them to - well, see the light. GLAAD's certainly thrilled about the movie's release and even sponsored last night's premiere to raise awareness of religious abuse. Because such things make them and their Religious, Faith, & Values division sad. And us, too. The movie hits theaters tomorrow. While we're on the subject of Robinson, the openly gay bishop penned a piece over at LGBT for Obama in which he says "it's time to get serious" about electing Barack Obama: "As LGBT voters, it’s time to put our differences and disappointments aside, and get behind the one candidate who has our interests at heart. If you’re still stinging over the unsuccessful bid for nomination by Hillary Clinton, it’s time to look forward, even if the disappointment still hurts." |
|
The secure sartorial details came during a speech at Kent University in England, during which Robinson lamented the treatment of queer families. Always an optimist, however, the preacher man insisted that happier days are on the horizon: Heterosexism is the problem with today’s society. Homosexual families are still viewed as second class citizens, but what we are seeing today is the death of patriarchy. In order for the Church to come round to the idea of gay marriage, we need to separate the civil right from the religious right. If we can do that, we might get more religious support for the issue. Robinson also speculated that anti-gay hate would break God's heart. God has neither confirmed nor denied said speculation. [Image] |
|
|
|
Hardline church leaders have formally declared the end of the worldwide Anglican communion, saying they could no longer be associated with liberals who tolerate homosexual clergy. The 89-page declaration makes the Reformation comparison even more explicit with assertion, “We see a parallel between contemporary events and events in England in the sixteenth century. Now, after five centuries, a new fork in the road is appearing.” |
» Sealed.
"About 120 guests gathered at St. Paul's Church in New Hampshire for Saturday's ceremony for Bishop Gene Robinson and his partner of more than 19 years, Mark Andrew. The event was kept private out of respect for next month's worldwide Anglican conference, Robinson's spokesman, Mike Barwell, said on Sunday." [Reuters] |
» Weekend Union.
Openly gay Anglican Bishop Gene Robinson and his long-time beau Mark Andrew will go through with their strategic civil union this weekend in New Hampshire. And, no, anti-gay Ugandan Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi was not invited. [Telegraph] |
|
As some hint at a schism over gay inclusion, Uganda's Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi says division can be prevented if pro-gay preachers simply apologize and fall in line: The rift in the Church can only be bridged if the liberal bishops, espousing sexual perversion, repent and return to Christ's teachings. And by "own things" Orombi means the ascension of gay bishop Gene Robinson, who has become the most divisive figure in Communion. We gays are always making an impression! |
» Smack!
Gene Robinson's got claws. The gay Anglican bishop gave the movement's leader, Rowan Williams of Canterbury a bit of slap yesterday when discussing Williams' spinelessness when dealing with anti-gay Anglicans: "I believe [William's] unwillingness to confront Peter Akinola and others like him who've made statements that I think any reasonable person would find over the edge - I believe God is very disappointed in that." God offered no comment. [PA] |
» Ongoing…
Gay Anglican Bishop Gene Robinson continues to receive death threats ahead of the international Anglican Communion's Lambeth Conference this summer. [AFP] |
|
He planned his civil union for June, he said, because he wanted to provide some legal protection to his partner and his children before he left for England for the conference. Bishop Robinson has received death threats, and he wore a bulletproof vest under his vestments at his consecration in 2003. Robinson has not been invited to the conference, for his gay ways have caused quite a drama in the movement, but will set up shop in a market place adjacent to Lambeth HQ. |
» Pretty Paltry
Gay Anglican Bishop Gene Robinson popped into rural Pennsylvania last night to sign copies of his new book, In The Eye Of The Storm, about the rift his 2003 ascension caused in the Anglican Communion. While one would anticipate a huge amount of outcry against such a controversial figure, only four protesters showed up. And they were blocked access by a group called Silent Witness, who described themselves as "human spiritual firewall." [LD News] |
|
The Anglican Archbishop, whose 2003 ascension sparked outrage in the international Anglican Communion, will have a quite a summer as he married his long time boyfriend, Marc Andrews, and then heads to England to protest not being included in the church's Lambeth Conference, an every-ten-year-event during which Anglican leaders discuss their evolution. Robinson, of course, wants the Church to expand its guidelines to include the gays, but senior leaders are skittish over the idea, which led to Robinson's exclusion. Now, as we've mentioned, Robinson's headed over to put some pressure on his pious peers: Bishop Robinson’s decision to be active on the “outside” of the conference will add to the pressures on the Archbishop, who is struggling to keep his church united in line with the Gospel imperative of “one Church”. We would, too. Who wants a socially aware honeymoon? No one, that's who. Except for Robinson. Obviously. |
|
Rather than giving Robinson a notable role, the international Communion, led by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, offered Robinson up for interviews with the media gods. The "sick-hearted" Robinson, however, wasn't having it: One workshop on one afternoon and being interviewed by the secular press was not anything I was seeking. I wasn't going to Lambeth to have another interview with the secular press. If interviewed at all, I want to talk with a theologian. I want to talk about the love of Christ. I want to talk about the God who saved me and redeemed me and continues to live in my life. Despite his tough talk, Robinson will pop into the Lambeth Conference as an "outside observer." Those gays just love to get up in the drama! Robinson also urges other Anglican leaders to attend and fight for their gay brethren: "You must go. You must find your voice… You have to find my voice and the voices of all the gay and lesbian people in your diocese who, for now, don't have a voice…" |
|
|
» Ugandans To Boycott Lambeth
The Anglican drama continues! As many of you know, the Anglican Communion has been at civil war since the American branch electede openly gay Gene Robinson as Bishop in 2003, a move that irritated the church's more conservative set, who have been snatching congregations and boycotting events in an effort to win power. Uganda's Anglican Church announced today that it will boycott this summer's Lambeth Conference, during which Anglican leaders will attempt to iron out their kinks - and their odds aren't looking good. [BBC] |