VA Gov McDonnell's Former In-Law Speaks Out for Gay Rights

[MountainLaurel]

Robyn Deane, dressed in a red raincoat, jeans and heels, glanced at her handwritten notes before peering at the crowd gathered outside Virginia's Capitol to promote the rights of gay and transgender state workers.

For years, Deane, a man who is in the process of becoming of woman, had considered revealing her lengthy but largely unknown connection to Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R). She had told no one that this would finally be the moment she went public.

"I am father to three of the present governor's nephews and nieces," she announced to the more than 100 people trying to shield themselves from the rain.

"Whoa," someone muttered.

"I'm also uncle to five of his children, so that puts me kind of close," Deane continued. "He is my former brother-in-law. . . . He witnessed the impact that all of this coming out can have on one's life. He had a front-row-center seat."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/15/AR2010071506262.html

[LostinVA]

1. This was big news here

[racaulk]

2. Wow, good on her!

It must have taken quite a bit of bravery for Robyn to make that public statement. It's too bad her former brother-in-law, and the uncle of her children, is a complete jackass.

K&R

[katandmoon]

3. K&R

[Doctor_J]

4. Here we see the problem with being a bigot

Eventually, people like McDonnell are going to have to shit on people very close to them. For his public life it's probably fine. Whatever support he loses among Robyn's friends will be more than made up for with teabaggers. But even to the most soulless wingers, repudiating their own family members must grate just a little.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. "But even to the most soulless wingers, repudiating ... family members must grate just a little."

Not in the least. They enjoy it. I know; I grew up in a family of teabaggers.

[Doctor_J]

6. sorry to hear that mkj

hope you have found a surrogate family in your adulthood.