Bishop Gene Robinson, who faced
controversy nearly a decade ago when he became the first openly gay
bishop in the Episcopal Church, has advised President Barack Obama to
keep away from endorsing gay marriage before the November election.
The speculation that Obama will
conclude his “evolution” on the issue before voters head to the
polls has captured recent headlines.
(Related: Obama
will soon endorse gay marriage, Richard Socarides says.)
“I have to say I'm sympathetic to the
notion that for him to openly support marriage equality before the
election would complicate an already difficult task,” Robinson told
gay glossy The
Advocate. “I would say to him that we can't underestimate
how important this is to us – this is the systemic change that we
need, want and deserve. And I would push him hard to go all the way
to marriage equality in his second administration.”
The 64-year-old Robinson, who serves as
bishop of the diocese of New Hampshire, announced in November that he
will step down from his post sometime this year.