An opening prayer by openly gay bishop Gene Robinson at a pre-inaugural concert for President Barack Obama was not included as part of HBO’s exclusive coverage for the day, AfterElton.com reports. The decision to exclude Robinson’s prayer from the telecast was made by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, according to a producer for the concert as disclosed by HBO, the site says. The decision to exclude Robinson from the telecast is seen as a slight by members of the gay and lesbian community, especially after the selection of Rick Warren to speak at inauguration.
—Sergio Ibarra