Among the first recipients of the Order of the Diocese of Toronto is Chris Ambidge, a leader in Integrity and a self-described lesbigay Anglican.

The award is supposed to honour “laypeople who make outstanding contributions to the diocese” and, in Ambidge’s case, the outstanding contribution has been to encourage the Anglican Church of Canada in its decision to allow any diocese that cares to to bless same-sex civil marriages. And to wear a fetching tiara.

From here:

The Order of the Diocese of Toronto, created to honour laypeople who make outstanding contributions to the diocese, was awarded for the first time on New Years’ Day at St. James’ Cathedral in Toronto.

A list of 48 recipients-nominated by their parishes or Archbishop Johnson-was published on the Diocese of Toronto website just before Christmas. Those named to the Order were honoured before a full house at the cathedral during the New Year’s choral evensong, receiving a medallion and a pin from the archbishop.

Among the first recipients of the Order were Chris Ambidge (involved in leadership of Integrity Canada),  members of General Synod Libby Salter and Peter Tavell, Elizabeth Loweth (active in leadership of the International Anglican Women’s Network), Dorothy Peers, and General Synod’s coordinator of Together in Mission Suzanne Lawson.