BTD names Bishop Gene Robinson Birch Award winner
Openly gay Episcopal bishop being honored for his ‘thoughtful participation’ in debate over LGBT issues. The man whose election as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church U.S.A. set off a debate that has threatened to split the worldwide Anglican Communion, has been chosen as the 2008 winner of the Elizabeth Birch Award, officials with the Black Tie Dinner announced this week. Bishop V. Gene Robinson will be on hand to accept the award at the 27th annual Black Tie Dinner on Nov. 22 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. The award, named in honor of the former Human Rights Campaign executive director, is presented to an individual, organization or company that has made “a significant contribution of national scope to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community,” BTD officials said. “He often reminds his audiences that it is going to take people of faith to end this unjust discrimination. Bishop Robinson’s thoughtful participation in the public debate on these issues provid...