Task Force: Robinson's exclusion from HBO televised coverage 'profoundly disappointing and disturbing'

January 19, 2009


MEDIA CONTACT:
Inga Sarda-Sorensen
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force responds to the exclusion of Bishop Gene Robinson from HBO's televised coverage of Sunday's "We Are One" inaugural event.

Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

“Bishop Gene Robinson is an inspiration to millions worldwide because he lives out the ideals of courage, humility and truth-speaking. It is profoundly disappointing and disturbing that HBO viewers did not have the opportunity to watch Robinson, a genuine hero to so many in our community and others around the globe, give his powerful prayer at Sunday’s ‘We Are One’ inaugural event. Our nation becomes better and stronger when given the chance to hear from the diversity of its people. This did not happen with Bishop Robinson, and absolutely should have.”

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The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the grassroots power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. We do this by training activists, equipping state and local organizations with the skills needed to organize broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation, and building the organizational capacity of our movement. Our Policy Institute, the movement’s premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality and to counter right-wing lies. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., we also have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis and Cambridge.