She claimed half of all men with trans identities were sex offenders, and that what she called 'transvestism' was common among 'sexual predators and even serial killers'. Her resurfaced tweets - posted right up until she was named a Liberal candidate in April - called for a ban on the participation of transgender competitors in women's sport and more broadly criticised some trans activists and supporters. The recently qualified lawyer was handpicked by Mr Morrison to fight to regain the beachside seat for the Liberals after it was won by independent Zali Steggall in 2019.
However she has also attracted strong support from the conservative wing of the party, plus former PMs John Howard and Mr Abbott, as well as Prime Minister Scott Morrison himself. The controversy over Ms Deves's views - discovered in old social media posts - has prompted some Liberals to call for her to be dis-endorsed as a candidate for ex-PM Tony Abbott's former seat of Warringah on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Jonathan Deves partied in drag for Mardi Gras 2010 and proudly paraded in the hot pink bikini, camping it up for pictures with friends
