Gay Right Rev. V. Gene Robinson, New Hampshire diocese bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church, has been selected by President-elect Obama to deliver the invocation at the inaugural concert to be held at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, Jan. 18.
The event marks the opening ceremony of the inaugural festivities. Robinson is the first openly gay man to be named a bishop in the Anglican Communion. Obama adds to the historic nature of the transfer of power by also inviting civil rights leader the Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery to give the benediction at the presidential inauguration on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and the Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins to give the sermon at the National Prayer Service on Wednesday, Jan. 21, becoming the first woman to deliver the sermon at this traditional inaugural event.
