The Anglican Church in Canada has long been at the forefront of religious LGBT equality. It first began to accept same-sex unions in 2002 and, shortly thereafter, started to incorporate gay clergy into the Church.

Now, it's made another significant step toward full inclusion by electing its first openly gay bishop.

The Diocese of Toronto approved the election of bishop Kevin Robertson yesterday. The 45-year-old, who is one of three newly elected bishops in the Diocese, has two children with his partner, Mohan.

“I’m very overwhelmed," he remarked after hearing the news. "I didn’t really expect to be here, but I’m deeply, deeply honored. I realize this is an historic day in the life of our church."

“It’s no secret that I’m the first openly gay, partnered bishop-elect in the diocese and perhaps in the Canadian church as well," he continued. "I know that for some people that’s a real challenge and for others it’s the fulfillment of what they’ve been hoping and praying for for a very long time."

He added: “My election today is a turning point for our diocese, and I’m honored to be a part of that. I’m really encouraged by the developments over the past couple of months, [which] bode really well for the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in the life of our church.”

“I think LGBTQ clergy and lay people might naturally gravitate towards me...for leadership around the issue of full inclusion, but I absolutely see myself as a bishop for the whole church, including people who have a very different view of things than I do," he concluded.

Of Robertson's election, current Archbishop of Toronto Colin Johnson commented: “We’re at an early stage in this experience. I think many parts of the world do not understand it, so it will be a challenge for them, but it will be an opportunity for us to explain how and why we have made this choice today.”

h/t: Pink News