HBO Keeps Bishop V. Gene Robinson's Prayer in the Closet

Published January 18, 2009 @ 09:11PM PT

Bishop Robinson *sigh*

It was supposed to be the olive branch given to LGBT communities (and straight allies) over the high profile Inauguration participation of Rev. Rick Warren, the California pastor who urged his flock to vote for Proposition 8. Instead, openly gay Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson's opening prayer at Sunday's kick-off ceremonies was (1) not televised by HBO at all, and (2) apparently not heard by most of the Inaugural crowd (the Bishop's mic wouldn't work).

And the LGBT blogging community has exploded.

Queerty: There's no easy way to say this: We were hoodwinked. Cynics will say, "Well, what did you expect?", but the answer is, "We expected more." The concert itself was inspiring, hopeful and a media event, but the exclusion of Robinson once again highlights the reality that gays and lesbians sit at the back of the American political bus.

Queers United: Openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson gave the invocation prayer at the kick-off for the inauguration. It is a historic moment for the LGBT community, one that many of us tuned in to see. HBO aired all the actors, musicians, and comedians, but failed to air Bishop Robinson's prayer. Demand to know why.

Joe.My.God: After days of controversy and outrage from the religious right, openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson opened Barack Obama's inauguration concert on the National Mall today with a request that the nation pray for "understanding that our president is a human being and not a messiah." But only the people AT the concert heard that, because HBO did not televise Robinson's message. Who engineered this blackout of Robinson? I suspect we'll hear lots about this in days to come.

Pam's House Blend: Remember, this was the supposed salve on the wound to the LGBT community for the upcoming high-profile appearance of Rick Warren at the actual inauguration on Tuesday, which will be seen by millions and will float out there on YouTube in perpetuity. I had no illusions that Robinson's appearance would reach the same level of exposure as Warren's, but damn -- no broadcast of it at all?

And now let's give our take:

Gayrights.change.org: You know how on Election night, we were all kind of happy (no more Bush!) and sad (Proposition 8) at the same time? Well, it's kind of like that again. A new beginning, yes, but more of the same exclusion that really tarnishes what should have been a day full of optimism.

Oh, and we're pissed at HBO, too. So if you'd like to write HBO and ask why they chose not to televise the opening prayer of Bishop Robinson, you can do so by clicking this link. And after the jump, we'll include the full text of Bishop V. Gene Robinson's prayer. Get it here, folks, because you won't find it on television screens near you.

A Prayer for the Nation and Our Next President, Barack Obama

(By Bishop V. Gene Robinson, courtesy of the New Hampshire Episcopal Church Web site. Bold phrases below are part of the original text.)

O God of our many understandings, we pray that you will…

Bless us with tears – for a world in which over a billion people exist on less than a dollar a day, where young women from many lands are beaten and raped for wanting an education, and thousands die daily from malnutrition, malaria, and AIDS.

Bless us with anger – at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Bless us with discomfort – at the easy, simplistic “answers” we’ve preferred to hear from our politicians, instead of the truth, about ourselves and the world, which we need to face if we are going to rise to the challenges of the future.

Bless us with patience – and the knowledge that none of what ails us will be “fixed” anytime soon, and the understanding that our new president is a human being, not a messiah.

Bless us with humility – open to understanding that our own needs must always be balanced with those of the world.

Bless us with freedom from mere tolerance – replacing it with a genuine respect and warm embrace of our differences, and an understanding that in our diversity, we are stronger.

Bless us with compassion and generosity – remembering that every religion’s God judges us by the way we care for the most vulnerable in the human community, whether across town or across the world.

And God, we give you thanks for your child Barack, as he assumes the office of President of the United States.

Give him wisdom beyond his years, and inspire him with Lincoln’s reconciling leadership style, President Kennedy’s ability to enlist our best efforts, and Dr. King’s dream of a nation for ALL the people.

Give him a quiet heart, for our Ship of State needs a steady, calm captain in these times.

Give him stirring words, for we will need to be inspired and motivated to make the personal and common sacrifices necessary to facing the challenges ahead.

Make him color-blind, reminding him of his own words that under his leadership, there will be neither red nor blue states, but the United States.

Help him remember his own oppression as a minority, drawing on that experience of discrimination, that he might seek to change the lives of those who are still its victims.

Give him the strength to find family time and privacy, and help him remember that even though he is president, a father only gets one shot at his daughters’ childhoods.

And please, God, keep him safe. We know we ask too much of our presidents, and we’re asking FAR too much of this one. We know the risk he and his wife are taking for all of us, and we implore you, O good and great God, to keep him safe. Hold him in the palm of your hand – that he might do the work we have called him to do, that he might find joy in this impossible calling, and that in the end, he might lead us as a nation to a place of integrity, prosperity and peace.

AMEN.

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Comments (17)

Just finding this late on Sunday. I was late to find the concert on HBO online. So I just assumed I had missed the Bishops Invocation. But if this is the truth...then GAAAAAAAAA! I tell you all we are going to have to stay on this administration to keep its promises of equality for gay and straight. STONEWALL 2.0 we must become, not just GALA Givers like HRC.

Posted by Lee Dorsey on 01/18/2009 @ 10:30PM PT
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.....and here, by admission the fault is OBAMA's, not HBO's..Contacted Sunday night by AfterElton.com concerning the exclusion of Robinson's prayer, HBO said via email, "The producer of the concert has said that the Presidential Inaugural Committee made the decision to keep the invocation as part of the pre-show."...Wherever the fault lies, this is yet another unfortunate turn involving GLBT concerns over Obama's selection of Rick Warren to deliver the prayer at Obama's inauguration. Many in the gay community saw Robinson's selection to deliver Sunday's prayer as an olive branch.But given that most Americans could not attend the concert, instead having to watch it on television, the decision to not broadcast the prayer is being seen by many in the GLBT community as a slight.So way way way way way UNDER THE BUS.... what a start BO.

Posted by Lee Dorsey on 01/18/2009 @ 10:44PM PT
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I tuned in to "We Are One" expressly to watch and hear the invocation by Bishop Robinson - what I had been 'told' would be the balance to the invocation on Tuesday by the homophobic Rev Rick Warren.

Bishop Robinson was not a part of "We Are One." I understand his microphone was muted during his invocation. Then, HBO does not identify the Gay Men's Choir during their appearance.

How can it be that "We Are One" when the GBLT community is immediately marginalized by the incoming administration that traded so heavily on our contributions and votes?

We are NOT one. We're still on the outside, trying to get someone's attention. In fact, Sunday's insult bears a disgusting resemblance to the fiasco prior to the South Carolina primary involving Donnie McClurkin and Rev. Andy Sidden.

If this is what CHANGE looks like for me, my family, and my community, I'm going to find it hard to have HOPE that things are going to be different anytime soon. It would seem that the GBLT community has been used once again - used and tossed under the bus.

Bishop Robinson's unheard invocation contained this quote. He prayerfully asked God, "Bless us with anger - at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people."

I am a Christian, a member of the United Church Of Christ, and a lesbian who endures discrimination and second class citizen status in this nation. I have received the blessing of anger. Tell me, Mr. President-Elect, with all due respect, why I shouldn't be angry.

Posted by Cindy Scott on 01/18/2009 @ 11:17PM PT
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I was at the national mall for the concert, about 1/2 a mile from the Lincoln Memorial, and the moment Gene Robinson took to the stage, the speakers went out. We couldn’t hear a word of the entire invocation. Of course minutes before when Elmo was on the jumbotrons speaking about unity, everything was fine. The moment the gay bishop takes to the stage suddenly there is technical issues. Mind you, the HBO logos didn't pop up on screen until after the speech. When I get home I find out that HBO cut Gene Robinson from the footage. It’s really horrible and sad. I really don’t think it was a “day of unity” for everyone. They had no intentions of showing him.

Posted by Lloyd Phillips on 01/19/2009 @ 02:13AM PT
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Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, societal patricians of the Knickerbocker 800, were members of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of Democratic President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and niece of Republican President Theodore Roosevelt.....and her first cousin, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, daughter of Theodore, both resigned from the DAR when Marian Anderson was refused the right to sing at Constitution Hall.The parallel was clear. Marian Anderson sang MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE in 1939 and the DC Gay Men's (and Women's) Choir was joining Josh Groban, straight ally, to refrain the anthem. The cynic within me has none of the graciousness of my brother in Christ as he hugged President-elect Obama after the concert.Two "malfunctions" - bad microphone and lack of printer id for the choir - pale in significance to the fact that it was Obama's Committee who decided to throw Bishop Robinson under the bus and out of the HBO programming.Rick Warren will have 24/7 on all television sets. Theocratic neocons do NOT have HBO, for fear of viewing soft pornography after hours. Trust me.....it will be an iron fist covered with a silk glove.What to do? Well, I will do the following:1) I will print his prayer and petition the news pundits to have the good bishop invoke it on all stations. Maybe lesbian Rachel Maddow can do her sisterly best, and give the bishop opportunity to give it.2) I will wear a black arm band and mute the audio when Rick Warren spews his verbal venom. I will read the Robinson prayer aloud during that " malfunction ".3) I know that the Gay and Lesbian Band will march merrily merrily merrily along.....but would LOVE to see them "malfunction" in front of the Presidential reviewing stand.....and march silently in front of the Triangulator-in-Chief. Methinks, he and other neoliberals would get the code !!!

Posted by A B on 01/19/2009 @ 05:23AM PT
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It is with anger and sadness that I hear that Bishop Robinson's fine prayer was completely marginalized from yesterday's concert. Why invite him if you are going to insult him and all Americans who dream of a more inclusive culture. Who made this decision and how did HBO get away with it? Don't they care about gay viewers and their supporters? No one has even called the Bishop to explain or apologize-I just heard him on NPR-For shame!

Posted by Libby Bakken on 01/19/2009 @ 11:39AM PT
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I believe the blame is clearly on the Obama team, not HBO.

Posted by Lloyd Phillips on 01/19/2009 @ 12:39PM PT
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Don't be fooled by the HBO responses.

If they are televising an event they are televising an event and show it all. They should take a lesson from CSPAN and learn how to transmit without trying so desperately to win awards with the hostle anti gay communities.

Maybe there is fault with PIC but were they the ones who were responsible for the transmission of the event.

Posted by Israel Wright on 01/19/2009 @ 01:29PM PT
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I am NOT Christian and I am NOT gay. I am a 70 yr. old Jewish woman who looked forward to and waited in vain for a "government" prayer that was not offered in the name of specific religion which is NOT mine. I was saddened, angry and disappointed when it was not broadcast. Whoever is responsible has offended many citizens of the United States.
Proud mother of a gay son...if I need to say that!

Posted by Shirley Fordis on 01/19/2009 @ 01:47PM PT
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His name is Joshua Earnest. He was communications director for the Obama campaign in Iowa. He worked for the Vilsack campaign and the former governor of IA.

Tom Vilsack is a neoliberal. He is a member of the DLC and supports centrist and conservative wings of the DNC.

Joshua Earnest is the spokesperson and member of the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC).

The PIC advised HBO that their special should begin at 2:30 EST and that the Robinson prayer would occur at 2:25 EST. Bishop Robinson said that he knew about the five minute discrepancy but did not fully understand the ramifications.

I suspect that the good bishop led with his heart and not his spleen on this issue. He told NPR that he was unaware that the DC Gay Men's Choir was not identified to the audience in any way whatsoever

Other individuals felt that HBO is looking for an award for this Lincoln Memorial special and did not want the gay bishop or the gay choir hurting their chances with anti-LGBT protests.Isn't it awful to be the last minority whom you can malevolently act against with total trust that you will not be taken to task?

Posted by A B on 01/19/2009 @ 02:08PM PT
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Thank you for posting the content of Bishop Robinson's invocation. I'm sure many copied it and it will be widely disseminated. As the wife of a Jewish clergman, I often addressed interfaith gatherings and often wonder, with invocations by other clergy of other faiths, just what it is about "interfaith" that they don't understand as they (primarily evangelical Christian clergy) pray with those of other beliefs. I will especially utilize the 'God of many understandings' wording and hope that others may gain some understanding of the feelings of marginalization their insensitivity incites. But I fear that posting here is "preaching to the choir." !!

Posted by Shirley Fordis on 01/19/2009 @ 03:29PM PT
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Thanks, again to Raymond S. I, for one, am glad to have true information. Emotion is fine...Rachel Maddow was so cute saying how she had cried when she heard Bishop Robinson yesterday..one of the few who could. But she also was careful to state that the GLBT Community is just ....... LIVID!! still about the Warren matter.Now dont any of you even think you will get to see the gay band tomorrow, you know there will be technical difficulties or just a commercial break when they go by.

Posted by Lee Dorsey on 01/19/2009 @ 08:34PM PT
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I am so disappointed in this entire situation. The "technical difficulties" compounded with HBO's decision to leave out Bishop V. Gene Robinson's prayer partially sours this Inauguration for me, and I'm sure for many others. That prayer was simply elegant. Thanks so much for posting it. Considering that I have been an Obama supporter for almost two years now, my belief in his ability to act without fear in the name of human rights has diminished. The blatant disrespect toward Bishop V. Gene Robinson, particularly after selected Rick Warren (who clearly doesn't believe in human rights as I know them), is unacceptable. I just sent an e-mail to HBO about this and I hope everybody does too. Their explanation is NOT an adequate explanation.

Posted by D W on 01/19/2009 @ 11:39PM PT
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Let's hope more people will now read and appreciate the Bishop's prayer than would have if it had simply been broadcast as if should have been. What is the best way to contact him to show support and to tell him how what a moving prayer it is?

Posted by Libby Bakken on 01/20/2009 @ 06:14AM PT
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Rick Warren is change?
Silencing Bishop Robinson is change?

I was cautiously optimistic about this administration.
Now I'm just cautious.

Posted by charles shriner on 01/20/2009 @ 07:39AM PT
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I too have copied his prayer and I too will be putting it on my ministry site for all to read.

In further honor to bishop robinson and out of respect to him...I will also be disabling the comment feature for that particular post only.

Blessed be bishop robinson.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/19/2009 @ 09:47AM PT
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My apologies folks...

In my earlier post here, I meant to include the URL to my ministry.

Its http://www.ministryofthegreatspirit.blogspot.com

All are welcome to comment and you dont have to have a google account to do so.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/19/2009 @ 10:11AM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.