‘Homosexuality has no place in America’: Tennessee Republican in damage control after his account posts homophobic message, blames comms team

Pride month has begun. However, in Tennessee, June is now also formally designated “Nuclear Family Month”, which seeks to support the “traditional family” of a male husband, a female wife, and their children.

Now, in support of this new designation, Rep. Andy Ogles‘ account posted the message: “Homosexuality has no place in America. Happy Nuclear Family Month.”

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) has now deleted his homophobic post which said “homosexuality has no place in America.” pic.twitter.com/iW6kXGLaWY

— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) June 2, 2026

This is in line with Ogles previous comments about LGBTQ+ matters. In February, he criticized Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show as “gay pornography”, argued it contained “explicit displays of gay sexual acts” and slammed the performer for lyrics he said “openly glorified sodomy“.

“What an absolutely idiotic statement to make.”

But, judging by the responses, outright saying “homosexuality has no place in America” is taking things a step too far. GOP congressman Mike Lawler said:

Homosexuality exists. In America.

In fact Andy, you have family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and constituents who are gay and lesbian.

It doesn’t make them less than or somehow unworthy of being an American.

What an absolutely idiotic statement to make. https://t.co/FFpv4eru8b

— Congressman Mike Lawler (@RepMikeLawler) June 2, 2026

“Homosexuality exists. In America. In fact Andy, you have family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and constituents who are gay and lesbian. It doesn’t make them less than or somehow unworthy of being an American. What an absolutely idiotic statement to make.”

Even GOP Senator Ted Cruz was critical, saying:

GOP Senator Ted Cruz responds to Rep. Andy Ogles’ anti-gay tweet, “Homosexuality has no place in America”:

“For all of recorded history homosexuals have been part of humanity, and I got to say, I’m quite libertarian by nature. I think the behavior of consenting adults is their… pic.twitter.com/1zeTIWDBC8

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) June 3, 2026

“For all of recorded history homosexuals have been part of humanity, and I got to say, I’m quite libertarian by nature. I think the behavior of consenting adults is their business.”

Ogles deleted the tweet and is now denying responsibility for it. He explains the first he heard of it was when he was “working on his farm” and he began to get notifications on his phone. He went on to disavow the message, calling it “stupid” and “hurtful”:

Earlier today while working on the farm, my phone began going crazy because of a post made by a member of my comms team.
The post was stupid, hurtful and a complete distraction from my America First focus. The employee has been reprimanded.

— Rep. Andy Ogles (@RepOgles) June 3, 2026

“Earlier today while working on the farm, my phone began going crazy because of a post made by a member of my comms team. The post was stupid, hurtful and a complete distraction from my America First focus. The employee has been reprimanded.”

Responses indicate Ogles’ excuse is being taken with a pinch of salt, with both sides of the political spectrum criticizing him. On the left, he’s being slammed as “hateful” and “bigoted“, and on the right, he’s being called a “coward” for deleting it.

Ogles is facing a primary election on Aug 6, with challenger Charlie Hatcher aiming to replace him. Hatcher is the former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner and has strong fundraising going into the final weeks. On the other hand, Ogles has the coveted Trump endorsement, but this might be a surprisingly close race.