Twitter Responds to Senator Lindsey Graham Opposing the 'Respect for Marriage Act'

To no one's surprise, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham voted against the "Respect for Marriage Act" on Wednesday. Given the senator's conflicted history with gay issues, Twitter responded in kind.

Graham was one of 37 Republicans who voted against the bill. It passed the Senate in a preliminary vote that saw 12 GOP Senators joining all the Democrats in voting to advance the bill.

"The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted to advance a bill protecting federal recognition of same-sex marriage, prompted by concerns that a more conservative Supreme Court could reverse a 2015 decision that made it legal nationwide," Reuters said.

"The bill garnered the 60 votes required to limit debate before a final vote on its passage. It would serve as a legal backstop against any future Supreme Court action by requiring the federal government to recognize any marriage that was legal in the state it was performed."

Given that Graham is from South Carolina, the state with one of the lowest approval ratings for same-sex marriage, his vote represents how his constituents feel on the issue. According to the Pew Research Council, South Carolina has a 40% approval rating for same-sex marriage, only West Virginia (39%), Kentucky (38%), Arkansas (35%), Alabama (33%), and Mississippi (31%) have lower approval ratings.

He explained his reasoning on Twitter.

"I just voted against the 'Respect for Marriage Act' that is supposed to protect gay marriage without creating risks to religious freedom and religious institutions."

"Nothing in the bill adds new protections for gay marriage, but it does, in my view, create great uncertainty about religious liberty and institutions who oppose gay marriage."

Graham's vote comes with the backdrop of his supposed conflicts about his personal life and sexuality. He has been rumored to be gay for years, according to a 2020 article from the Washington Blade. "The confirmed bachelor's efforts to keep his sexual orientation a secret suffered a blow this summer, when male escorts and porn stars created a stir with the 'Lady Graham' hashtag and revelations about 'ladybugs' (Google it if you have an iron stomach). Porn star Sean Harding went public on Twitter, alleging Graham has hired multiple D.C.-based escorts over the years who signed non-disclosure agreements, which have enabled this farce to persist for so long."

The #LadyGraham hashtag went viral in June, 2020, which was also reported by the Washington Post. "Last week, the hashtag #LadyGraham exploded on social media in response to allegations made on Twitter by gay adult-film star Sean Harding against Sen. Lindsey O. Graham of South Carolina (the hashtag, along with the abbreviated form 'Lady G,' purportedly refers to Graham's nickname among male sex workers). What followed has been a mixed bag of political commentary, wanton speculation and downright trolling."

Whether it is fair or not to speculate on someone's sexuality has long been an issue when dealing with a politician who may or may not be in the closet. For his part, Graham has denied any gay rumors. Should his privacy be respected? Or is his sexuality open to scrutiny because he has a voice in legislation such as this? And what is his responsibility to his constituents?

Twitter responded to Graham, with some taking shots at the senator's personal life. Some called him out directly about his sexuality.

Others disagreed with Graham on the politics, while some agreed.