A pioneer in LGBTIQ rights is hitting Australian shores to campaign for same-sex marriage in conjunction with religion.

Visiting the St Stephen’s Uniting Church on May 22, former Bishop Gene Robinson will join forces with Paddington Uniting Church and NSW’s Parliament’s cross party to discuss marriage equality.

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Robinson stands as the first openly gay man in a relationship to be consecrated as a bishop, during his 40 years in this position he campaigned rigorously for gay rights, HIV/AIDS education as well as anti-racism and women’s rights surrounding abortion.  

The former bishop came out in 1986, divorcing his wife; he then went on to marry his partner of 19 years in 2008.

The documentary ‘Love Free or Die’ will be screening during Robinson’s visit, it entails the former Bishops struggle with homosexuality and religion.

The event is set to be hosted by Rev. Ben Gilmour, who became Australia’s first openly gay church leader for the Paddington Uniting Church in 2011.

Nadine Walker