Gay Anglican bishop plans civil union next year
Thu May 10, 2007
By Brian Early

MANCHESTER, N.H., May 10 (Reuters) - The openly gay Episcopal bishop at the center of the Anglican Church's global battle over homosexuality said on Thursday he hopes to enter into a civil union with his partner next year.

But New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson added that he wants to hold separate religious and legal ceremonies to set a precedent for how marriages and civil unions are performed in the United States.

Next week, New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch is expected to sign a bill that allows civil unions for same-sex couples, making his state the fourth in the nation to do so. The law would go into effect on Jan 1. the rest