V. Gene Robinson—the first out gay Episcopal bishop—said at the annual diocesan convention in Concord, N.H., that he will retire in 2013, according to Advocate.com. Robinson said, “Death threats, and the now worldwide controversy surrounding your election of me as bishop, have been a constant strain, not just on me, but on my beloved husband, Mark” as well as congregants throughout the state. Robinson was elected in 2003. Last year, he gave the invocation for the opening ceremony of President Obama’s inauguration.
Human Rights Campaign Religion and Faith Program Director Rev. Harry Knox said in a statement that Robinson’s “courage, poise, and grace in the face of vitriolic attacks on his humanity and faith have made him a model by which the rest of us judge our daily actions. We rejoice that he and his husband Mark are anticipating more time together in Bishop Gene’s retirement and that our esteemed bishop will be free to do even more advocacy on behalf of LGBT justice beginning in 2013.”