10/28: Rev. Gene Robinson at Trinity Cathedral

The election of the Rev. Gene Robinson in 2003 as bishop of New Hampshire’s diocese was a catalyst for a conservative wing within the U.S. Episcopal Church to act on their grievances: A handful of dioceses and parishes announced their intention to leave the U.S. church communion due to its increasing acceptance of gay unions, spotlighted by the election of the openly gay Robinson. While the media — having their usual field day when they sniff controversy — has often depicted these renegades as creating some kind of split-down-the-middle catastrophe for the church, the greater part of it is moving toward full acceptance of LGBT people in all roles, despite the stoking of differences by meddling homophobes like Nigerian Bishop Peter Akinola. Bishop Robinson is widely considered to be an inspiring leader and activist for social justice; his book, In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God, which came out last year, tells the story of his journey. So does For the Bible Tells Me So, the 2007 documentary about the collision of religion and homosexuality. Robinson himself will tell his story at Trinity Cathedral (2230 Euclid Ave., 216.771.3630, trinitycleveland.org) at 7:30 p.m. He’ll also preach at the choral evensong service at 6 p.m. Both are free and open to the public. — Anastasia Pantsios