First Openly Gay Bishop to Give Invocation at Inauguration

After the disappointing news that President-Elect Obama selected homophobe Rev. Rick Warren to give the invocation at his Presidential Inauguration next week, news came out today that the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop - the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire - will kick off the Presidential Inauguration Week with an invocation on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial this Sunday.

An Obama source says that "Robinson was in the plans before the complaints about Rick Warren. Many skeptics will read this as a direct reaction to the Warren criticism - but it's just not so."

Referred to as "the most controversial Christian in the world" by the San Francisco Chronicle, Robinson faced death threats and was forced to wear a bulletproof vest during his consecration.

In June 2008, Robinson married Mark Andrew, his partner of 20 years, a move that outraged conservatives. He said he was entering a civil union because he wants his partner, as well as his two daughters from a previous marriage, to have the same legal protections afforded to heterosexual couples.

"I am simply not going to put my life in jeopardy without putting into place the protections for my beloved partner and my children and my grandchildren that are offered to me in a civil union," Robinson said. "I think any husband or wife would want to do that."