Anti-Drag Politician Taking Social Media Break After Thirsty Responses

Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R) says he’s going to take a break from social media after being caught thirsting on a 20-year-old gay man’s Instagram account. https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1635407166944292866 In his statement, ‘Randy’ Randy says his comments like “Way to go Finn!!! You light up the world!!!” and “You can turn a rainy day into rainbows and sunshine” on Franklyn McClure’s skimpy posts were merely “engagement and encouragement” – nothing more. He didn’t mention why he included fire and heart emojis in his responses… And McClure wasn’t the only recipient of the Lt. Governor’s “encouragement.” McNally has liked a number of Instagram pictures of a Texas man in a revealing swimsuit, and a shirtless gay man in California. He also ‘Liked’ several photos of a trans woman in Florida wearing sexy clothing. McNally went on to apologize “for any embarrassment my postings have caused my family, friends and colleagues.” He added he will be “pausing my social media activity in order to reflect and receive more guidance on the use of social media.” McNally also denied assertions of him being an anti-gay lawmaker by playing the “I have friends and family who are gay” card.

While I have made some mistakes in my use of social media, the characterization of me and my record as somehow “anti-gay” is inaccurate. On a personal level, nothing could be further from the truth. I believe every person has value and deserves respect regardless of their orientation.

I am 79 years old, and was raised in a time when homosexuality was deeply shameful. And I absolutely still hold traditional Tennessee values dear. But I now have friends and even a relative who is gay. I have worked hard to try and understand this community better, and at the same time not compromise trying to protect children and my own values.

From a distance, McNally seems like a guy who’s possibly spent his life in the closet and may have discovered an outlet for his authentic self in ‘Liking’ social media posts. Perhaps it never occurred to him that anyone would notice who and what photos he was responding to. I don’t know the man, but if that were true it would strike me as sad. And not only for McNally, but for his queer constituents he has injured by voting for anti-LGBTQ legislation over the years. That includes supporting his state’s now-infamous anti-drag bill last month. McNally says he voted for the bill because he is “anti-obscenity,” but nearly every drag queen I’ve ever seen has performed fully dressed. https://twitter.com/NC5PhilWilliams/status/1635370521583058944