V. Gene Robinson became the first non-celibate openly gay Anglican bishop in 2003. Though the Episcopal Church had previously had gay bishops, none of them were candid about their sexuality before being elected and homosexuality was (and remains) a controversial issue in the Church. In fact, Robinson's election proved so controversial, he was forced to wear a bullet-proof vest at his consecration due to death threats.Robinson has been with his partner, Mark Andrews, for 23 years.