Former McDonnell brother-in-law addresses gay-rights rally

[swimboy]

Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch

The transgender former brother-in-law of Gov. Bob McDonnell says the Republican, who opposes carving in state law anti-discrimination protection for gays and lesbians, has seen up-close the impact that sexual-orientation issues can have on families.

"He had a front-row-center seat," said Robyn E. Deane, 55, of Chesterfield County, who was married from 1982 until 1999 to a younger sister of McDonnell's wife, Maureen.

Deane spoke yesterday at a rain-soaked state Capitol rally organized by Equality Virginia, a gay-rights organization that is pushing McDonnell and the General Assembly to add a sexual-orientation protection to Virginia's anti-discrimination law.

Deane, who has three adult children with her former wife, said in an interview that she believes the governor can come around on gay-rights issues.



Read more: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GAYS22_20100421-215006/339119/