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Bishop Gene Robinson writes a moving, point-on op ed in The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
It's directed at a strange Texas Governor, but it also addresses the shame of many Republicans in this wonderful country called The United States of America, to which most of us say a pledge that speaks to "...with liberty and justice for all."
Bishop Gene Robinson's decision to step down has already been noted here and here on BH, but given his further elaboration on NPR yesterday about the death threats he has had to live with, and the pride he expressed on radio of his marriage thanks to the civil right granted to him in New Hampshire, I think it's worth revisiting his testimony during that struggle:
The courage and leadership of New Hampshire Democrats, as well as a not insignificant group of reasonable, freedom-loving Republicans, made the right of marriage a reality in New Hampshire. Someday it will be commonplace throughout the United States. But we led the way. This is something to be proud of.
We need courage and leadership such as was shown on this issue now more than ever. To all who played a role, and who will play a role, thank you.
Today's the day. New Hampshire will write a chapter in the book of civil rights, or it won't.
There is still time to contact your legislators. And if you can, show your support for marriage at the rally in Concord today.
Seems appropriate to have a voice from the church on a wedding day. Bishop Gene Robinson:
I am here today praying for you, praying that you will do what you know is right, and to do it now. I am praying that you will find courage. Courage to rise above your political considerations.
Courage to lead.
If full marriage equality will be right some day, it is right today. Don't give in to fearmongers who want you to believe that citizens don't want a fair New Hampshire. We do.
I posted Bishop Gene Robinson's HB436 public testimony vid a little while ago, but after watching it again I realized that the iffy audio and the speed with which he tries to get the testimony out in a timely way it doesn't do his words justice. (That's not a knock on Ryan's work, btw, which is an absolutely priceless record I urge the senate to peruse if they will.)
Because when you really take in what the Bishop is saying, it's jaw-dropping. Forget bloggers and pundits and activists. This man of the cloth sees right through the stoopid games going on here, and he hones in on exactly what needs targeting - the courage to lead over the politics of the situation. It's merciless and loving at the same time, which I guess is another way of saying that it is as pure a vessel of truth as I have seen on HB436.
Here's the bulk of his speech transcribed; all punctuation and any errors in the text are mine:
I want to address my remarks on the issue of timing. Some of you know that full marriage equality for all the citizens of New Hampshire is the right thing to do.
You know that in a reasonably short time we will look back on all this in shame, and wonder what the big deal was.
Your own children and grandchildren have probably asked you why this isn't the right thing to do now.
I know and understand that some of you are worried about your next election, fearing that your doing the right thing now will cost you.
It may.
But not doing the right thing will also cost you, not just in your next election, but also in your soul's self respect.
Some of you are worried about saving the governor from having to make a tough decision.
I get the politics.
But I'm reminded of another time when timing was the issue. Dr. Martin Luther King wrote these words from the Birmingham jail not all that long ago:
"While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities unwise and untimely.
"For years now I have heard the word 'wait.' It rings in the ear of every negro with piercing familiarity. This 'wait' has almost always meant 'never.'
We must come to see with one of our distinguished jurists that justice too long delayed is justice denied."
I am here today praying for you, praying that you will do what you know is right, and to do it now. I am praying that you will find courage. Courage to rise above your political considerations.
Courage to lead.
If full marriage equality will be right some day, it is right today. Don't give in to fearmongers who want you to believe that citizens don't want a fair New Hampshire. We do.
But we need you, our senators, to find the courage to make it so. You will be in my prayers.
Bishop Gene Robinson, marriage equality supporter, in part:
"You know that in a reasonably short time we will look back on all this in shame and wonder what the big deal was."
This is an Open Thread.
(h/t Reverend Ryan, whose diary made my computer freeze up from all the embeds, so instead I'll direct you straight to the YouTube page.)
New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, an outspoken, international gay rights leader, has been asked to give a prayer at one of President-elect Barack Obama's first inauguration events at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
...He signed on to the Obama campaign early during the New Hampshire primary, saying he liked Obama's commitment to uniting people of different viewpoints and lifestyles. When Obama invited Warren, who has campaigned against gay marriage in California, to give the invocation inauguration day, Robinson shared his disappointment.
"I actually have a lot of respect for Rick Warren, amongst evangelicals," Robinson told Beliefnet.com in late December. "He's taken a hit for his compassionate response to AIDS, his commitment to alleviating poverty. He's done some good things. The difficult thing is that he's said, and continues to affirm, some horrendous things about homosexuality."
The nod to Warren shows that even thoughtful, well-discplined Team Obama is capable of making major blunders. And that the nod to Robinson shows that they are equally capable of listening to the feedback on those blunders and coming out stronger. A responsive administration? Man, it's been a long eight years.
