The head of the Tennessee Senate is being called a hypocrite after he used heart and fire emojis on photos of an openly gay man. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally has confirmed his actions and defended them.
McNally, R-Oak Ridge, has been under fire for liking Franklyn McClur’s nearly naked pictures on Instagram. McClure spoke with progressive news site, The Tennessee Holler, and said he found it hypocritical that the lieutenant governor would like his posts but support bills that harm the LGBTQ community.
On Thursday, reporters questioned McNally at the Capitol, and the owner of the Holler challenged the speaker of the Senate.
TN Holler: How long have you been communicating with “Franklynsuperstar”?
Randy McNally: Oh, probably a little while.
TN Holler: Do you really think it says more about me than it does about you that you’re attacking LGBTQ people while you’re commenting on his pictures like that?
RM: I’m not anti-gay.
TN Holler: That’s great. But why do you pass anti-gay bills?
RM: Well, we pass bills that kind of limit certain things, and I think there are safeguards in there.
TN Holler: This is the most anti-gay legislature in the entire country.
McNally disagreed. He recalled a time he spoke against legislation that would have prevented gay couples from adopting.
“I thought that a marriage should be between a man and a woman, and I still kind of feel that way,” McNally said. “But I still have (gay) friends that are married.”
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