Episcopal Bishop Otis Charles kept his secret for decades. It wasn't until 1993, when he was 67 and ready to retire, that he acknowledged being gay. After all, he thought he had much to lose - his wife and family, respect in the Utah diocese he had once served, possibly even his position in the church.

With his announcement, Charles became the Episcopal Church's first, and only, openly gay bishop. He is still a voting member of the Episcopal House of Bishops; he is the former dean of the Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, Mass.

"We've lived through racial integration. We've lived through the inclusion of women in all orders of ministry. We are now living through another inclusion. And that's what the gospel is all about -- inclusion and liberation."