It’s not unusual for those in office to cobble together a self-serving response following a tragedy. And we’ve seen many such responses following the massacre and maiming of 50+ LGBTQ at Orlando’s Pause nightclub.
But it is unusual for a politician, one who was not seen previously as even sympathetic to the rights of LGBTQs, to deliver a speech – at a Utah vigil, no less – that was as heart-felt and revealing as that by Utah’s Republican Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox. Here’s some quotes (via TPM):
"I grew up in a small town and went to a small rural high school," he said, according to the news site. "There were some kids in my class that were different. Sometimes I wasn’t kind to them. I didn’t know it at the time, but I know now that they were gay. I will forever regret not treating them with the kindness, dignity and respect — the love — that they deserved. For that, I sincerely and humbly apologize."
Note that this is a REAL APOLOGY that states the wrong and states true regret. It’s been so long since I’ve seen a genuine apology from a GOPer (and other prominents, to be fair), that I was taken aback.
Cox continued to say that:
"Over the intervening years, my heart has changed," he said, according to KSL. "It has changed because of you. It has changed because I have gotten to know many of you. You have been patient with me. You helped me learn the right letters of the alphabet in the right order even though you keep adding new ones. You have been kind to me."
This was beautifully and humbly stated. And it says much about Cox, as it does about those GLBTQ leaders and activists who have met with him professionally and personally over the years.
Cox, somewhat understandably (it is Utah, after all), danced a bit around gun control issues, opting to refer to the words of Jesus and Mohammed (but bully for him for including Mohammed), maintaining the generic that there are no easy answers. And he ended his speech with a request that all of us “talk less and listen more, forgive someone who has wronged us,” and urged love not fear of those different than ourselves.
For my straight friends, might I suggest starting with someone who is gay.
Please join me in taking a moment to thank Lt Gov Cox for his sincere comments and to express hope that his words will be reflected in his support.
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