Gay Bishop, Obama Discuss Dangers of Being 'First'

Obama camp sought out Robinson three times

By Drew Nelles, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 6, 2008 4:02 PM CST

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Gay Bishop, Obama Discuss Dangers of Being 'First' — "I don't know if it is an expression here in England or not but [Obama] is the genuine article. I think he is exactly who he says he is," said Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson. (AP Photo)

Barack Obama had three private conversations with the Episcopal Church’s only openly gay bishop during the campaign to discuss what it meant to be "first," the Times of London reports. “The first words out of his mouth were: ‘Well you’re certainly causing a lot of trouble,’" said Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. "My response to him was: ‘Well that makes two of us.'"

In addition to speaking about religion and gay rights, Obama and Robinson also discussed the violent threats they have both faced. “At the end of the day you have to decide whether or not you are going to be paralyzed by threats and by violent possibilities or whether you just move on and do what you feel called to do despite the risks,” Robinson said.
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