Black Tie Dinner names Robinson Birch Award winner

by Staff of of Dallas Voice

The man whose election as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church U.S.A. set off a debate that has threatened to split the worldwide Anglican Communion, has been chosen as the 2008 winner of the Elizabeth Birch Award, officials with the Black Tie Dinner announced this week.

Bishop V. Gene Robinson will be on hand to accept the award at the 27th annual Black Tie Dinner on Nov. 22 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. The award, named in honor of the former Human Rights Campaign executive director, is presented to an individual, organization or company that has made “a significant contribution of national scope to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community,” BTD officials said.

Recent recipients of the award, which is presented at the discrimination of board officials but no more than once a year, include Elizabeth Birch herself, Robert Greenblatt of Showtime Networks and actors Sharon Stone and Alan Cumming.

Randy Ray, dinner co-chair, said the Black Tie board is “honored to recognize” Robinson.

“Since becoming the Ninth Bishop of New Hampshire in March 2004, Bishop Gene Robinson openly engages in the debate on discrimination and gay marriage,” Ray said in a written statement released on Thursday, April 10.

“He often reminds his audiences that it is going to take people of faith to end this unjust discrimination. Bishop Robinson’s thoughtful participation in the public debate on these issues provides exemplary leadership for the entire GLBT community,” Ray added.

Robinson, a 1969 graduate of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., has a bachelor of arts degree in American Studies/History. He completed the masters of divinity degree at the General Theological Seminary in New York in 1972, was ordained deacon and then priest, serving as curate at Christ Church, Ridgewood, N.J.

He was elected bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire on June 7, 2003.

Robinson was consecrated on Nov. 2, 2003, prompting a group of 19 conservative bishops, led by Bishop Robert Duncan of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, to make a statement warning the church of a possible schism between the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.

Since that time, despite support for Robinson from church luminaries such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the predicted schism has continued to widen. Conservative Anglican bishops from African counties, led by Archbishop Peter Akinola of the Church of Nigeria, have been at the forefront of efforts to sanction the U.S. branch of the Communion.

Meanwhile, conservative leaders within the Episcopal Church, further angered by the church’s election of a female Archbishop, have broken away and formed the Convocation of Anglicans in North America with the support of Akinola’s Nigerian church.

Due to the controversy surrounding his consecration, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has chosen not to invite Robinson 2008 Lambeth Conference by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

Despite the controversy that has accompanied his ordination as bishop, Robinson has focused on clergy wellness throughout his ministry.

He has co-authored three AIDS education curricula for youth and adults and has done AIDS work in the United States and in Africa.

Robinson holds two honorary doctorates and has received numerous awards from national civil rights organizations. His story is featured in the 2007 feature-length documentary, “For the Bible Tells Me So.”

Robinson enjoys entertaining and cooking, gardening, music and theatre. He is the father of two grown daughters and the grandfather of two granddaughters.

He lives with his partner, Mark Andrew, who is employed by the State of New Hampshire’s Department of Safety.

The theme for the 2008 Black Tie Dinner is “Stories Untold, Let Your Life Speak.”

Premium tables and special seating are available now through individual and corporate sponsorships.

General table and admission sales begin in September, based on availability.

For more information on the dinner including sponsorships go online to www.blacktie.org.