Gene Robinson

Vickie Gene Robinson is the Ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, and the first openly homosexual, non-celibate priest to be elected to the order of bishops in The Episcopal Church. Robinson is the father of two grown daughters, who divorced his wife because of his choice of a homosexual relationship. Prior to his consecration, Robinson had lived openly with another man for 13 years. On June 7, 2003, the New Hampshire diocese of the Episcopal Church elected Robinson as its Bishop. The national church approved this, with 62 of 107 bishops convened at the General Convention in Minneapolis, Minn. on Aug. 5 voting to support him.

In 1988 Robinson had met his current partner, Mark Andrews, and their house was blessed by Bishop Douglas Theuner. In 2008 they were legally "married" under the laws of the State of New Hampshire, which had legalized same-sex "marriage," with Robinson proclaiming himself a June "bride." Robinson later revealed that he struggled with alcoholism for years. The two later divorced.

Robinson's superior, Bishop Theuner, suspended a priest, Don Wilson, because Wilson opposed Robinson’s election as the diocese’s new bishop.

In April, 2005, Robinson encouraged Planned Parenthood to target "people of faith" in its promotion of abortion rights and comprehensive sex education. He also attacked traditional interpretations of the Bible, and stated, "The story of freedom in Exodus is our story. ... That's my story, and they can't have it." (See homosexuality and the biblical interpretation)

In January 2009, Robinson led prayers at the opening of celebrations leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. Obama had extended the invitation.