Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally Apologizes for Hypocritical Comments on Instagram Posts by Gay Man

Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R) issued an apology Thursday following allegations of hypocrisy for his comments on suggestive Instagram posts by a young gay man.

McNally, 79, had been leaving heart and fire emoji, along with occasional remarks like “Super look Finn,” beneath photographs of Franklyn “Finn” McClur, an aspiring performer often seen dressed only in tight underwear, as first reported by progressive news site The Tennessee Holler.

In an interview with WTVF, a local news station, McNally said he had recently gotten to know members of the LGBTQ community — some being a part of his family — and was trying to be more supportive. He said it was not his intent to embarrass or hurt his friends and family or colleagues in the Legislature, where he also serves as speaker of the Republican-led Senate.

McNally also noted that he had been unaware of the bills targeting the LGBTQ community that had been passed in the state while he was commenting on McClur’s posts.

McNally’s apology comes as the state legislature is considering a bill that would require transgender students to use the bathroom of their sex assigned at birth, and another bill that would allow adoption agencies to deny services to same-sex couples.

The lieutenant governor’s comments have sparked criticism from LGBTQ advocates, who have accused him of hypocrisy for supporting bills that target the community while also expressing support for a gay man on social media.