Openly Gay Bishop Censored at Obama's Inauguration Concert

Though many hoped for a new era of change this past week, it seems it wasn’t in terms of acceptance of gays and lesbians in public positions, especially religious ones. The Sunday prior to the swearing in of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, the openly gay Episcopal Bishop, Eugene Robinson, was apparently silenced while giving his prayer on HBO’s broadcast of the Lincoln Memorial Inauguration Concert.

Many speculated Robinson was invited by the Obama team to counter the controversial and homophobic Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church, whom Obama invited to give the convocation during the Inauguration ceremony itself. However, while Warren’s prayer got prime coverage, it seems Robinson’s was not broadcast live, nor on replay by HBO. Afterward, when confronted, HBO claimed technical glitches–twice–then blamed the Obama transition team. It would be interesting to know more about this censorious affair. This may not be the type of change Americans hoped to see in a more tolerant and inclusive country.

Amy Goodman covered the story on DemocracyNow! on Inauguration Day. The story also appeared on the blog From The Left on Sunday, two days prior to Goodman’s coverage, and on another blog here. The Huffington Post also also ran a piece on Monday the 19th, reprinting the blaming of the Obama camp. In the interest of freedom of speech, Robinson’s censored prayer can be read here or seen on some video footage housed on the previously linked articles.