There are enormously gifted Episcopal priests around this church who are gay and lesbian, some of whom are partnered, who would make wonderful bishops and they're going to be nominated and they're going to be elected.

The Archbishop of Canterbury however allegedly persuaded him to not proceed with the appointment. In April 2009 Robinson made the Out magazine Third Annual Power 50 list of the most influential gay men and women in the USA landing at number 7. Robinson had perfect Sunday School attendance for thirteen years.

He went public with his sexual identity and divorced in 1986. His sexual orientation was privately acknowledged in the 1970s when he studied in seminary was ordained married and started a family. Robinson was elected bishop coadjutor in 2003 and succeeded as diocesan bishop in March 2004.