Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R)Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally is apparently “really, really sorry” folks got upset over his recent social media kerfuffle.
Earlier this week, it was discovered the anti-LGBTQ lawmaker had ‘Liked’ and thrown down heart and fire emojis on a 20-year-old gay man’s Instagram account.
From NewsChannel5 in Nashville:
“I’m really, really sorry if I’ve embarrassed my family, embarrassed my friends, embarrassed any of the members of the legislature with the posts,” McNally told NewsChannel 5 Investigates. “It was not my intent to [embarrass them] and not my intent to hurt them.”
The 79-year-old — who has presided over a legislative session defined by bills outlawing drag shows in public places and targeting gender care for the trans community — found himself facing accusations of hypocrisy after a progressive site, the Tennessee Holler, unearthed his social media interactions with a 20-year-old gay model.
We found other LGBTQ-related posts liked by Tennessee’s lieutenant governor, who says he’s gotten to know members of that community — including some from his own family — and that he’s tried to be more affirming of their identities.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates pushed McNally, “If are so supportive of the LGBT community, why haven’t you been a vocal supporter in your job as a senator, as the lieutenant governor?”
“Well, it depends upon the issue,” he answered.
VIDEO: 'I'm really, really sorry.' Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally apologizes after uproar over social media posts (More in link below.) https://t.co/Ye6QV2a8hL pic.twitter.com/noIiwfbCOd
— Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) March 10, 2023
Asked why he reacted to the posts as he did, McNally says his aim was to “try to encourage people with posts and try to, you know, help them if I can.” According to the 79-year-old, he was “just basically trying to encourage” the young man.
Another post ‘Liked’ by McNally’s official account on Instagram found young Franklyn describing himself as “not a whore” but a “hoe.”
“One is a SLUT and the other is a PROSTITUTE,” the post read. He added, “I’m the one that gets free weed for giving head.”
McNally says in the interview he doesn’t recall seeing the part about weed but he might remember the part mentioning “prostitute.”
As I’ve previously noted on The Randy Report, the Human Rights Campaign reports that Tennessee has introduced more anti-LGBTQ bills than any other state since 2015.
