Barack Obama called on Gene Robinson three times this year to ask him advice on being "the first."
Robinson, you'll recall, is the Episcopal Church's first openly gay Bishop and received death threats before his ascension in 2004. Obama, you may have heard, had just been elected our nation's first black president, a position that's sure to be a bit stressful. Thus, in his quest for understanding and advice, Obama gave Robinson a ring:
[Robinson] said That Mr Obama’s campaign team had sought him last year and he had the “honor†of three private conversations with the future president of the United States last May and June.“The first words out of his mouth were: ‘Well you’re certainly causing a lot of trouble’, My response to him was: ‘Well that makes two of us'.â€
He said that Mr Obama had indicated his support for equal civil rights for gay and lesbian people and described the election as a “religious experienceâ€.
…
The Anglican church’s first gay bishop and the United States’ first black President-elect discussed in depth the place of religion in the state.Bishop Robinson said: “He and I would agree about the rightful place of religion vis-a-vis the secular state. That is to say, we don’t impose our religious values on the secular state because God said so. Our faith informs our own values and then we take those values into the civil market place, the civil discourse, and then you argue for them based on the Constitution. You don’t say to someone, you must believe this because this is what God believes."
Of Obama's personality, Robinson gushed, "He is impressive, he’s smart, he is an amazing listener. For someone who’s called on to speak all the time when he asks you a question, it is not for show, he is actually wanting to know what you think and listens." Sounds like the perfect date.
Maggie Gallagher’s Maine Condolence Letter Will Surely Cause You to Tear Up (58)
· Quake says: We lost by a small scale, the young generation is getting it. The old people can die... »
The DNC Totally SCREWED US OVER in Maine. And Then Lied About It (38)
· Charles Merrill says: Bill Perdue There is always going to be the uber rich, it’s the nature... »
Were These Dads Harassed + Detained By Wal-Mart Because They’re Gay? (28)
· Quake says: I bet you while all the Walmart workers surrounded this couple about 5 other people... »
Can’t A Television Show Say ‘Fag’ Anymore Without GLAAD Getting Upset? (85)
· Robert, NYC says: Chris, Andy…exactly what I was trying to bring out in my previous posts.... »
MJ Back In The Saddle (12)
· alajdia says: I haven’t seen you for weeks. buy cheap nolvadex http://www.stumbleupon... »
Is It Wrong to Refuse to Have Sex With HIV-Positive Men? (100)
· Sydney says: I agree with #38. Much rather be an asshole about it than willingly get sick. »
We Love It When Neil Patrick Harris Gets ROUGH (4)
· arnau says: I first heard “messages of dates” just when NPH’s pic appears on his... »
The Big Problem If ENDA Doesn’t Stipulate What Changes Must Be Made to Employee Bathrooms (7)
· jason says: There is no such thing as a “trans gender”. Your gender is either male or... »
· Dr. Jillian T. Weiss says: Reply to WHAT’s comment: You say that I don’t “answer... »
PHOTOS: He’s a Good Cristian (1)
· dvlaries says: Quite a sturdy set to start the week with. Thanks too for weeding out any shots with... »
Sounds to me like we need to hold our future President's feet to the fire when it comes to religion influencing policy. He needs to understand that the greatest civil rights struggle of the new millennium is the equal treatment of GLBT citizens under the law, and our biggest opponents are people of faith that can't comprehend the separation of church and state.
This is a very encouraging conversation to hear about. Did I mention I love Gene Robinson!! Such a wonderful member of the community to be proud of. He's one courageous individual and I love that Barrack Obama noticed enough to realize he could learn from this man.
I think our putative leaders need to step up now and make it clear to the President-elect that our community will not be happy with table scrap or an old bone, that we want, need and deserve some real red meat.
Alan: I think we need to scrap our putative leaders, and start again.
While religion may have secured Obama's ties to the black community which he had to have, he is worldly enouough to know that in all modern states government has to be and is secular. It is only because we have become sort of crazed in fear of all these loonis that we lose perspective on where ther world is. Obama is not likely to run the most powerful country on earth like a nuthouse anymore.
He knows that the rest of the world has been shaking their heads at the absurd governance in the U.S.
^ Yeah since Obama won't seek a second term in office.
He doesn't need to pander anymore to the black community that got him there.
Since you're so fond of percentages + stats, Cunt-hill, maybe I should start keeping track of all of your future posts that in some way refer to black persons or the black community as a whole, particularly those that are negative in tone.
I think you'd be shamed by the results. That is, if you were capable of shame.
Whoever wrote this article absolutely erased every "good" point he/she made when they decided to end the article with "Sounds like a perfect date". This would have been a great article without your opinion inserted carelessly. You took away from what a poignant relationship these 2 have, being the 1st Gay Bishop and the 1st Black President. The person that wrote this needs to be fired for being a half-wit.
You beat me to it, Kevin. I know Queerty is trying to have a certain smart-ass tone. But why this piece and why on the last sentence? Very aggravating.
Gene is hot!…I´d get on my knees…to confess my sins