When Rev. V. Gene
Robinson took to the stage at a star-studded,
pre-inauguration event Sunday afternoon in Washington D.C.,
millions of LGBT Americans eagerly anticipated what
the openly gay bishop would have to say about equality
in America.
But
Robinson’s invocation never aired on television
– he was cut from the telecast of the Lincoln
Memorial event.
In a call placed
to HBO, the premium pay channel on which the Obama
Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial aired, a
spokesperson told After Elton the decision not to air
Robinson’s prayer was made by the Obama
transition team.
HBO's senior vice
president, Jeff Cusson, gave a similar account. "HBO
had no involvement in the scheduling of those who appeared
as part of the televised event. You'll have to talk to
[the Presidential Inaugural Committee] about all of
the scheduling decisions. We had a set broadcast time
and went forth accordingly," Cusson told gay activist
Leah McElrath.
Robinson's prayer
was posted on YouTube.com by Christianity Today
magazine.
But explanations
from the Presidential Inaugural Committee
(PIC) failed to illuminate how the decision was made
and by whom. "We had always intended and planned for
Rt. Rev. Robinson's invocation to be included in the
televised portion of yesterday's program," PIC
communications director Josh Earnest said. "We regret
the error in executing this plan – but are gratified
that hundreds of thousands of people who gathered on
the mall heard his eloquent prayer for our nation that
was a fitting start to our event."
According to
reports from the scene, many people in attendance could
not hear Robinson’s speech because of technical
difficulties, although acoustics during the entire
event were said to be difficult for those viewing
from the further reaches of the crowd.
PIC appears to
doing some damage control. A source close to inaugural
officials tells The Advocate they are working
to ensure that HBO's future broadcasts of the ceremony will
include Bishop Robinson's invocation. The person also
said portions of Robinson's prayer would be included
in a series of clips that will stream on
jumbo screens for those gathered on the National Mall prior
to President-elect Obama's swearing in Tuesday. Pastor
Rick Warren will be delivering the invocation, a
decision which has caused anger and frustration
in the LGBT community since Warren has likened gay
relationships to incest and pedophilia.
Click here to read the text of
Rev. V. Gene Robinson’s opening prayer in full. (Ross
von Metzke and Kerry Eleveld, Advocate.com)
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