Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox said at a Monday memorial for the victims of the Orlando terrorist attack that "his heart changed" soon after meeting and working with gay individuals in the local community.
The Washington Post reported that Cox, speaking in front of the City and County Building in Salt Lake City, said he spoke at the rally to show his support to the LGBT community.
"I'm here because, yesterday morning, 49 Americans were brutally murdered," Cox said in the speech,
according KSL-TV. "And it made me sad. And it made me angry. And it made me confused. I'm here because those 49 people were gay. I'm here because it shouldn't matter. But I'm here because it does. I am not here to tell you that I know exactly what you are going through. I am not here to tell you that I feel your pain."
Cox, who has served as Utah's lieutenant governor since 2013, confessed about his own past treatment of gays.
"I grew up in a small town and went to a small rural high school," Cox said, noted KSL-TV. "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."
Cox went on to say that he felt America was at "a crossroads of hate and terror" and questions remain how the country will respond.
"Usually when tragedy occurs, we see our nation come together," Cox said in the speech. "I was saddened, yesterday to see far too many retreating to their over-worn policy corners and demagoguery. Let me be clear, there are no simple policy answers to this tragedy. Beware of anyone who tells you that they have the easy solution. It doesn't exist."
"And I can assure you this — that calling people idiots, communists, fascists or bigots on Facebook is not going to change any hearts or minds. Today we need fewer Republicans and fewer Democrats. Today we need more Americans," Cox said.
California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom praised Cox speech on Facebook, urging others to watch his speech on social media,
according to KUTV.
Comedian Billy Eichner, from the show "Billy on the Street" added his approval on Twitter.
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