Bishop Gene in Portland, Maine

From the Portland Press-Herald:

The nation's first openly gay Episcopal bishop got a warm welcome Thursday night from a crowd that came to hear him say why religion matters in the debate about Maine's Nov. 3 referendum on same-sex marriage.

More than 300 people came to the Cathedral Church of St. Luke on State Street to hear the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, the Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire, deliver a speech aimed at getting out the vote.

Robinson, who has been in a relationship for more than 20 years, held back nothing when talking about rights for gays and lesbians, and about people who oppose same-sex marriage based on their interpretation of the Bible.

"We need to rescue the Bible from the religious right, which has held us hostage for a very long time," said Robinson, whose remarks drew a long ovation.
....

Robinson directed several of his remarks at Stand for Marriage Maine, the group that is campaigning to repeal Maine's new law legalizing same-sex marriage.
....

"I have a message for them," the 62-year-old bishop said. "Religious people and religious institutions need not fear marriage equality, because if this passes, nothing will change for them."

"Speak up, don't whine, and for God's sake don't be afraid to come out as a religious person," he told his audience.

Thanks to Wade who sent the link to me. He was present and says:

There was an article in the local rag about the event, though they're full of it as regards the turnout. The Cathedral was set up to seat 650 and there were very few empty seats. I'd dare say we had 550 in attendance. I'm starting to feel like we're going to win this one!

Let us hope that Wade is right and the repeal effort fails.