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Gay Bishop: I Want To Marry

(Boston, Massachusetts) Gene Robinson, the first gay bishop in the Episcopal church, says he would like to marry. Robinson says that he and Mark Andrew, his partner of 14 years would be married today if New Hampshire legalized marriage or civil unions between same-sex partners.

"I am very supportive of the right to marry," Robinson said in a telephone interview with The Eagle Tribune newspaper. "If gay and lesbian people are full citizens of the country and state in which they live, they should be accorded the same rights as other couples.

"I don’t think it matters whether you call it marriage or civil union as long as the responsibilities and the benefits are the same."

"Gay marriage or civil union as a civil right is different from what the church does to bless these unions," Robinson, 56, said

Robinson said churches should not be required to bless such unions, however.

"I think all of the different churches will have to make a decision whether or not to bless these unions," he said.

He said the Episcopal Church in New Hampshire has been blessing same-sex unions for seven years.

Vermont allows civil unions between same-sex partners. In Massachusetts, the Supreme Judicial Court declared last month that a ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional.

New Hampshire has a Defence of Marriage Act that specifically bans same-sex marriages.

Robinson also said he is "saddened" by the controversy surrounding his consecration. But he said he believes that many more people are finding their way to the Episcopal Church than are leaving it as a result of his becoming bishop.

"We are getting all kinds of people coming to the Episcopal Church, not just gays and lesbian people, because of this," he said. "Many straight couples and their children are coming because they want their children to be raised in a community that accepts all people."