In 1637, John Alexander and Thomas Roberts of Plymouth Colony were found guilty of performing ongoing homosexual acts with each other. John, a free man, was whipped, burned on the shoulder with a branding iron and banished from the colony. Thomas, an indentured servant, was whipped, returned to his master and forbidden to ever own land in Plymouth. The words behind the two figures are gleaned from messages sent to the Episcopal diocese of New Hampshire when openly gay Gene Robinson was made bishop.