Gay Bishop To Say Prayer At Inaugural Event

New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson will give a prayer at the Lincoln Memorial for one of President-elect Barack Obama's first inauguration events.

Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal bishop, will participate in an event Sunday to kickoff inauguration festivities. His selection follows weeks of criticism from gay-rights groups over Obama's decision to have the Rev. Rick Warren give the invocation at his Jan. 20 inauguration. Warren has backed a recent ballot measure banning same-sex marriage in his home state of California.

Robinson said last month the choice of Warren was like a slap in the face. He says he doesn't believe Obama invited him in response to the Warren criticism but said his inclusion won't go unnoticed by the gay and lesbian community.