Episcopal bishop Gene Robinson, has announced that he will retire in 2013, a decision based on the threats he and his family have received since his consecration as the first openly gay bishop in 2003.
The strain on him and his family has reached a breaking point, and he can no longer accept the level of stress they all have to deal with. The stress Robinson and his family face include numerous death threats. In fact, during his consecration in 2003, Robinson was surrounded by bodyguards and wore a bulletproof vest.
Robinson and his partner of more than 20 years, held a civil union ceremony in 2008
