CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Bishop Robinson enters civil union

Union Leader
June 8, 2008

V. Gene Robinson, New Hampshire's Episcopal bishop, entered into a civil union yesterday with his partner of 20 years, Mark Andrew, according to WMUR-TV.

The ceremony, held at St. Paul Church, coincided with the fifth anniversary of Robinson's election as the nation's first openly gay Episcopal bishop.

The state Legislature passed a law last year allowing gay couples to enter civil unions; the law took effect Jan. 1.

In an interview last month on NBC's "The Today Show," Robinson said the decision to enter into a civil union came after he received death threats about his decision to attend the Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops this summer, despite a decision by church leaders not to invite him to participate.

"I am simply not going to put my life in jeopardy without putting into place the protections for my beloved partner and my children and my grandchildren that are offered to me in a civil union," Robinson told Lauer.

According to a report by Religion News Service, Robinson and Andrew had planned to hold their civil union ceremony on the steps of the state Capitol, but "security concerns" prompted them to move it indoors.

END