Bishop Robinson Talks Obama on Rachel Maddow

Episcopal bishop Gene Robinson appeared on The Rachel Maddow Show Wednesday night and discussed President-elect Obama, the Rick Warren controversy, and other topics with the MSNBC host. Robinson, the gay bishop of New Hampshire, will give the opening invocation at Obama's inaugural festivities this Sunday and said -- once again -- that he's disappointed in the incoming president's selection of Warren to conduct a prayer on Inauguration Day.

"You know, being a supporter of Barack Obama doesn't mean that we don't critique certain decisions that he might make," Robinson told Maddow. "And so many of us in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, we're just stunned, really, by this choice."

However, he added, "in the intervening days, it appears that Barack Obama is being the person he told us he was and that he intended to be, by including all voices in this inauguration and, indeed, in his administration."

Later in the segment, Robinson compared the inclusive spirit of Jesus with that of the president-elect. "No one had a bigger tent than Jesus," the bishop said, adding, "That sort of vision, I believe, is Barack Obama's vision as well. And I long for a government that respects the dignity of every human being, especially those who are less fortunate."

In addition to delivering the invocation on Sunday, Robinson said he'd be participating in Obama's swearing-in on Tuesday and attending other inaugural events. (Advocate.com)

READ COMMENTS (6) EMAIL PRINT RECOMMEND

‹‹Previous Article in Category | Next Article in Category››

Reader Comments

Back to top
Name: Paul Schmalz
Date posted: 1/18/2009 11:09:00 AM
Hometown: Dartmouth

Comment:
Joseph, I lived in Mississippi for 10 years. During that time I noticed that no matter how light skinned a black person was they were considered "Black" by the white community. Certainly the plantation owners did not embrace their offspring from black mothers as their own and bring them up living in the "Big House". The white community has a long and nasty history of labeling anyone that is not 100% white as "colored". Perhaps this is why Barack Obama identifies more as being black than white!
Back to top
Name: Alex
Date posted: 1/16/2009 12:11:00 PM
Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC

Comment:
Why do we need any religion or clergy at presidential inagurations? what about the 16% of Americans who are not affiliated with any religion or those who are not Christians? including Christian prayers at the inaguration is an exclusionary practive which has no place in our secualr Republic.
Back to top
Name: Joseph
Date posted: 1/16/2009 2:46:00 AM
Hometown: Montgomery, AL

Comment:
Well, it's nice to read that an Obama supporter can admit that "The One" CAN be critiqued, and that he is NOT perfect. Unfortunately, then Rev Robinson takes it a step too far by suggesting that "The One" should be compared to Jesus. Obama hasn't done anything--NOT A BLESSED THING--that deserves all this freaking hype that's come his way. The "first" Black President? Well, big whoop. Of course, he also happens to be half-white (of course, that's only of importance to Obama when he needs it to be; he certainly didn't bring up his mother very often during the campaign in comparison to his absentee father, and his "typical" white grandmother certainly didn't deserve the notoriety that Obama threw her way).
Back to top
Name: RogerinMA
Date posted: 1/15/2009 6:36:00 PM
Hometown: New Bedford

Comment:
We need to remember that Mr. Obama asked us ALL to work and fight for the things we believe in, and not to give up, or give in. Sometimes though, we can't help but get tired from having to constantly struggle for what we need and deserve as US citizens. Knowing our brothers and sisters in Canada have riights we don't have here yet is hard to deal with sometime., but someday we'll have the full compliment of rights that so many Americans just take for granted! Yes we can!!!
Back to top
Name: Mark
Date posted: 1/15/2009 2:53:00 PM
Hometown: Tampa

Comment:
Why do you refer to Bishop Robinson as "the gay bishop of New Hampshire". Wouldn't it have been more correct to write the bishop of New Hampshire who happens to be gay. I'm sure Bishop Robinson doesn't think of himself as the gay bishop. We need to just start thinking of ourselves as people and not just gay people. Then maybe everyone else will too. Also I do think the Bishop's comparing Obama with Jesus is a stretch. I don't think he needs that kind of pressure on him.
Back to top
Name: Arya F. Jenkins
Date posted: 1/15/2009 12:44:00 PM
Hometown: Fort Lee

Comment:
Please Bishop Robinson, let us not compare Obama to Jesus. We do not need to do that. Obama may become the best president this country ever had. That's a big enough challenge, but please, let's put the halo on hold. Although Obama did make a mistake with the Warren thing, I hope it doesn't signify further mistakes where LGBTs are concerned. It's his own high raising of the bar, his own demands that will make us hold him more accountable for his mistakes than any other president. Of this I am sure. We wish him luck.

PREVIOUS 1 NEXT

More Online Only

Art Artist Spotlight: Que Duong

A fortune-teller told Que Duong's mother he would amount to nothing — which is why he gives everything he has to each photo he takes.

News Features What Gays Need to Know About the Census
This year’s 10-question census sheet still present some gray areas as far as answering properly. We tell you some key facts on how to most accurately fill out your form.

Music Thicke and Juicy

Sexy soul singer Robin Thicke opens up about his Precious wife, homophobia in the music industry, and the gay men who’ve shaped his life and love since childhood.

Internet Herman on Why He Wants to Stop H8

Fitness trainer, Real World alum, and marriage equality advocate Scott Herman took some time between crunches to tell The Advocate that his concern for gay rights isn't manufactured, and he doesn't mind men checking him out.

Theater In Rehearsals for La Cage With Nick Adams

Broadway performer Nick Adams heads into rehearsals for the Broadway revival of La Cage Aux Folles and brings The Advocate along for the ride.

People Life on the G List: Gyms of L.A.

For an actor in L.A., which gym you go to is almost as important as who represents you. Which is why out actor David Moretti goes to almost all of them.

News Celebration of Courage Not So Courageous

Advocate contributor Michael Lucas says the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission needs to be doing more to stop violence against gays and lesbians in countries "oppressed by Islam."

Entertainment News The Trouble With Johnny

Johnny Weir will always be an attention-seeking brat who loves to wear fur. But he’s also the best thing to ever happen to men’s figure skating.

Commentary A Prom Canceled, A Preschooler Expelled

Columnist Kim Stolz wonders if banning a lesbian high-schooler from prom — and a preschooler with lesbian moms from kindergarten — is just a sign the Catholic church is gasping for air.

Television Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire?

Millionaire Douglas Donahoo is looking for the perfect man (who is also eco-friendly). Will matchmaker Patti Stanger deliver?

Commentary The Truth Behind Her Name Was Steven

Advocate contributor Eden Lane says CNN's Her Name Was Steven will help raise the visibility of trans people on TV, but the most compelling part of Susan Stanton's journey was left to a title card at the end of the film.

Television Laverne, Surely
I Want to Work for Diddy alum Laverne Cox leads a trio of transgender ladies in VH1’s Transform Me, a new makeover show that flatters her hooker-heavy résumé.

Music Cherie’s Jubilee
With The Runaways, the new film about her life with Joan Jett, pioneering rock star Cherie Currie is enjoying a renaissance ... with a little help from Dakota Fanning.

Washington D C View From Washington: Universal Stagnation

As Democrats struggle to push through health care reform and LGBT legislation, some gay activists are suggesting the administration's failings are a product of incompetence.

Activism Sex-Ed Student Turns Teen Activist

When sex education classes at Danny Sparks's high school failed to address the issues important to him, he took matters into his own hands ... and became an activist in the process.

Photography Artist Spotlight: Ryan Colford

From his "candy shoppe" line — sweet treats made oh-so sexy — to his black and white studies of the male form, photographer Ryan Colford exposes the beauty of the male body.

DVDs Hot Sheet: Matt Damon, Alicia, Almodóvar
This week Matt Damon finds himself in Iraq, Alicia plays MGM, and Almodóvar's genius finds its way to your DVD player.

Commentary What Massa Could Learn From Ashburn

COMMENTARY: Matthew S. Bajko says Republican California state senator Roy Ashburn deserves praise for coming out of the closet despite his antigay voting record. Now, if only former congressman Eric Massa would follow his lead.

Music The Truth About Tracy and Kim

Don’t be tardy for this party! DJ Tracy Young comes clean — mostly — about her rumored lesbian relationship with Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak.

News Kids Say the Darndest Things

Micah Schraft and his boyfriend, John, were filming Micah's family at Thanksgiving when the 5-year-old son of a family friend wanted to know if the two were husbands. The result is a video you have to see.

Commentary The Importance of Being Counted

With benefits from boosting hate-crimes and marriage equality laws to simply letting legislators know gay Americans indeed exist, the 2010 Census is a chance to stand up and be counted.