Bishop Gene Robinson Celebrates Obama

Via Pink News, the only openly gay bishop in the Anglican communion, Gene Robinson, has spoken of his joy at the election of Barack Obama as the next President of the United States:

In an interview with PinkNews.co.uk he said that the new President-elect, the first African-American to reach the highest office in the United States, was a symbol of healing.

"I am just so excited as most of America is," he said . . . "I think he is the genuine article - he is who he seems to be."

. . . Bishop Robinson may be at the top of the Episcopalian Church, as American Anglicans are known, but he grew up as a poor child in the racist southern states of America.

"I remember a world of separate drinking fountains and segregated movie theatres," he told PinkNews.co.uk. "Barack's election is healing not just for the African-American community but for the white community as well.

Anglican leaders have sought a compromise with traditionalists over the acceptance of gay priests and the blessings of same-sex relationships, while Bishop Robinson has been a clear and consistent voice for gay people.

Bishop Robinson has been nominated for Hero of the Year at the Stonewall Awards being held in London.