Current:Home > FinanceTenn. Lt. Gov. McNally apologizes after repeatedly commenting on racy Instagram posts-LoTradeCoin
Tenn. Lt. Gov. McNally apologizes after repeatedly commenting on racy Instagram posts
View Date:2024-12-24 00:34:16
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Republican Lt. Gov. Randy McNally has confirmed that for "a little while" he has been liking and leaving comments on social media photos of an openly gay Tennessee man who often poses nearly naked.
McNally, who is also a member of the state Senate and serves as its head, has left numerous comments on Franklyn McClur's Instagram photos with phrases such as "love it!" and heart and flame emojis. One comment reads, "Finn, you can turn a rainy day into rainbows and sunshine."
In an interview Thursday night with News Channel 5 in Nashville, McNally apologized saying, "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."
Serving in the legislature since 1978, McNally is being called out after years of supporting bills that restrict the rights of LGBTQ people in the state.
Thursday, the 79-year-old was questioned by reporters at the state Capitol for his social media activity. He confirmed his actions and defended them saying "I'm not anti-gay."
McNally has spoken out against gay marriage in the past and said Thursday that he still "kind of" feels that way, "But I still have [gay] friends that are married." He also pointed out there was a time he spoke against legislation that would have prevented gay couples from adopting.
In response to McNally's comments, McClur spoke with the website 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.
Some have found his apology on News Channel 5 confusing after McNally confirmed and stood by his posts Thursday in front of the press. Also, in a statement, his press secretary said the lieutenant governor "enjoys interacting with constituents and Tennesseans of all religions, backgrounds and orientations on social media. He has no intention of stopping."
McNally's voting record
This year, the lieutenant governor was recovering from a heart procedure when the state Senate voted to pass bills eliminating gender-affirming care for transgender people under 18 and banning drag performances in public places where children may see them. (That law is the first of its kind in the country and comes with the potential for jail time.)
Though in his absence he didn't vote for the bills, McNally has said he believes "sexual reassignment" surgery should be delayed until adulthood, even if parents give the OK.
Two years in a row, McNally voted to limit sports participation on the basis of sex assigned at birth. He voted for another bill that allows individuals to refuse to share bathrooms and locker rooms with transgender people.
Even though he is the lieutenant governor, McNally may be a relatively unknown name, even in Tennessee. Instead of being elected by voters, he's elected by the legislature to the lieutenant governor post. Still, if Gov. Bill Lee were unable to serve his in his post for any reason, McNally would assume the office of governor.
Acacia Squires, NPR's States Team editor, contributed to this story.
veryGood! (1725)
Related
- See Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly, Brian Austin Green and Sharna Burgess' Blended Family Photos
- Walmart, Aldi lowering Thanksgiving dinner prices for holiday season
- Protesters march to US Embassy in Indonesia over Israeli airstrikes
- We Can’t Keep These Pics of Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and Zoë Kravitz’s Night Out to Ourselves
- Wall Street makes wagers on the likely winners and losers in a second Trump term
- Doxxing campaign against pro-Palestinian college students ramps up
- More fraud, higher bond yields, and faster airline boarding
- Marlon Wayans requests dismissal of airport citation, says he was discriminated against
- NY forest ranger dies fighting fires as air quality warnings are issued in New York and New Jersey
- Affordable Care Act provisions codified under Michigan law by Gov. Whitmer as a hedge against repeal
Ranking
- Roy Haynes, Grammy-winning jazz drummer, dies at 99: Reports
- Eating red meat more than once a week linked to Type 2 diabetes risk, study finds
- Research by Public Health Experts Shows ‘Damning’ Evidence on the Harms of Fracking
- Popeyes Cajun-style turkey available to preorder for Thanksgiving dinner
- Champions Classic is for elite teams. So why is Michigan State still here? | Opinion
- California Sen. Laphonza Butler, who replaced Dianne Feinstein, won't seek a full term in 2024
- Questions linger after Connecticut police officers fatally shoot man in his bed
- 2 American hostages held since Hamas attack on Israel released: IDF
Recommendation
-
In an AP interview, the next Los Angeles DA says he’ll go after low-level nonviolent crimes
-
Australia decides against canceling Chinese company’s lease of strategically important port
-
Philippine military ordered to stop using artificial intelligence apps due to security risks
-
No gun, no car, no living witnesses against man charged in Tupac Shakur killing, defense lawyer says
-
Lala Kent Swears by This Virgo-Approved Accessory and Shares Why Stassi Schroeder Inspires Her Fall Style
-
Five U.S. bars make World's 50 Best Bars list, three of them in New York City
-
What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing and listening
-
State Department issues worldwide caution alert for U.S. citizens due to Israel-Hamas war