Anne S. Wynne

Austin, Texas

Anne S. Wynne joined SLDN's board of directors in August 2006.

She is the Founder of Atticus Circle, a national nonprofit named after Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, that works to achieve equal rights for all partners, parents and their children, by ending discrimination based on who someone loves. Atticus Circle is unique in its focus on building a coalition of straight allies who support equality for all members of families headed by same-gender couples.

Atticus Circle has its roots in Texas, where Ms. Wynne is actively involved in the fight for equality for gay and lesbian Texans. In spring 2005, when the Texas Legislature was considering its own Marriage Discrimination amendment, Ms. Wynne testified against the bill that put a constitutional amendment banning civil marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships for same gender couples on the November 5, 2005, ballot.

As a spokesperson for the coalition of more than 150 organizations and thousands of individuals working against the Texas Marriage Discrimination amendment, she debated the measure with radical right proponents and conducted countless media interviews and public speaking engagements. Through it all, Ms. Wynne advocated for the thousands of families that would be hurt by embedding discrimination in the Texas Constitution.

A Dallas native, Ms. Wynne graduated cum laude from Smith College and earned her law degree at the University of Texas School of Law. She is a fourth generation lawyer who has been a practicing attorney since 1978, specializing in civil litigation and mediation, with an emphasis in family law.

Ms. Wynne is married and lives with her husband, Fred Ellis, and their three children in Austin, Texas. She combines her commitment to family with her contributions to public service, both at the state level and in the Austin community.

Governor Ann Richards appointed Anne Wynne as the first woman to serve on the General Services Commission and later the Texas Transportation Commission. She served for many years on the St. Edwards University Board serving as Chair for three years.

She co-chaired AISD’s Community Safety Task Force. Wynne was recently named to the Board of Equality Texas.