Anti-LGBTQ lieutenant governor leaves ‘flirty’ comments on 20-year-old gay man’s Instagram

Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally has been offering uplifting compliments — and what some are even calling “flirty” — to a young gay man on Instagram.

McNally’s comments were found under raunchy photos of franklin mcclure, a 20-year-old artist from Knoxville. The comments appeared in a story published by a local outlet. the tennessee scream On Wednesday.

The Holler received an anonymous tip which led them to find comments sitting in plain sight, comments like: “I love it”, with heart emojis, under a McClure video dancing in underwear.

In other close-up photo of McClure’s buttthe lieutenant governor said, “Finn, you can turn a rainy day into rainbows and sunshine,” which he followed with more heart and fire emojis.

McClure, who goes by the nickname “Finn” and goes by “Franklyn Superstar” on social media, responded to the comments, writing: “You’re literally always so nice King.”

The comments have drew attention on social media where many cite some inherent hypocrisy in McNally’s actions, after his state recently passed multiple bills targeting the LGBTQ community.

On Thursday, a reporter from tennessee lookout asked the 79-year-old about these new allegations of hypocrisy and his recent sponsorship of a bill banning same-sex marriage.

“I thought marriage should be between a man and a woman, and I still feel that way,” McNally responded, though she added that she tries to support people, including her own family members, who identify as gay.

Regarding the flirtatious comments, McNally’s director of communications Adam Kleinheider said: “As any Tennessee politician knows, Lieutenant Governor McNally is a prolific commentator on social media. He tries very hard to see as many posts as he can and often posts uplifting things for many of his followers.”

“Do you always use the right emoji at the right time? Maybe not,” she added. “But he enjoys interacting with constituents and Tennesseans of all faiths, backgrounds and orientations on social media. He has no intention of stopping.”

McNally’s record on anti-LGBTQ legislation has been mixedsays NBC News. He voted for the bill criminalizing some drag performances and did not vote for the bill restricting gender-affirming care.

So far this year, Tennessee legislators have introduced a total of 26 bills targeting LGBTQ people, reports the American Civil Liberties Union.