When Bishop Gene Robinson took the stage after the screening of his biographical film on June 5 at Bates Colleges, some Mainers knew that audience was being duped. Bishop Robinson can’t help the gay marriage effort in Maine because he is on the “blip” side of history.

Looks like any time people vote (including the liberal church) the gay choice does not claim victory.

Since Bishop Robinson’s “historic” election in 2003, there have been no gay or lesbian priests elected as diocesan bishops although there were openly homosexual priests in the running. Bishop Robinson’s new take on sexuality and marriage never became a model for leadership.

In the nine-plus years since his election, only one person with same-sex orientation has been elected, and that was not to be the bishop of a diocese. She is only the suffragan (assisting) bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles. Even Bishop Robinson’s own diocese recently elected a heterosexual priest to take his place.

Instead, during Bishop Robinson’s tenure, the Episcopal Church has split, and the pews are getting emptier. Bishop Robinson is a bad “blip” in Anglican/Episcopal history.

His non-Biblical, non-doctrinal life is becoming a blip of non-interest in church and secular history.

Debra A. Wagner, Lisbon Falls