Sen. Lindsey Graham on Friday quashed rumors of being gay after Chelsea Handler wrote a tweet mocking the single Republican as being closeted, which many critics deemed homophobic.

Ms. Handler faced backlash Thursday after she tweeted: “If you’re wondering why Republicans took a sick day today, it’s probably because it’s #NationalComingOutDay. Looking at you @LindseyGrahamSC.”

Conservatives and members of the gay community accused the tweet of being “homophobic,” arguing that Ms. Handler was using sexual orientation as an insult. The comedian, an advocate for women’s and LGBT rights, let the tweet stand and never followed up with further explanation.

TMZ caught up with Mr. Graham at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in suburban D.C. on Friday and asked what he thought of Ms. Handler’s comments.

“I don’t think much about what she says at all,” the South Carolina Republican said. “If she wants to live her life that way, that’s up to her.

“She knows zero about me,” he said. “To the extent that it matters, I’m not gay.”

“These comments — I don’t think they reflect well on her,” he added. “We’re moving on from that. Belittling people is not as fun as it used to be, and that’s a good thing.”

Mr. Graham, who has never married and has no children, has faced rumors of being gay in left-wing circles that attempt to portray him as a hypocrite on LGBT and women’s issues.

In January, Ms. Handler similarly faced backlash for a vulgar tweet calling on Mr. Graham to come out of the closet.

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