Shortly after the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016, I remember then-Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox’s moving speech apologizing for being unkind to LGBTQ people in the past. He encouraged other conservative Utahns to love and embrace the LGBTQ community. I was sincerely impressed with his change of heart because I know that it takes courage and integrity to admit when we are wrong. Over the last few years, others have experienced a change of heart culminating in a shift of attitudes. Polling showing that nearly 75% of Utahns support same-sex marriage rights, nearly double the support from similar polling in 2014.
In 2023, I miss the Spencer Cox of 2016. This past year, Cox has turned his back on the LGBT community to score political points.He supported and signed legislation that harms transgender youth, neglected to mention the LGBTQ community in his 2022 Pride Proclamation, and attacked DEI programs at Utah’s colleges and universities as “evil.” With hate crimes against LGBTQ people on the rise and many elected officials in this state labeling our community as “groomers,” we need more leaders like 2016 Cox who are unafraid to call for unity and love.
Unfortunately, Cox has abandoned his compassion and integrity to more closely align with his political party and shore up his support for reelection. Cox circa 2016 no longer exists, or if he does, he certainly hasn’t been showing up. Will the real Spencer Cox please stand up? We need him to lead with compassion, integrity, and courage to stand up for the LGBTQ community in Utah.
Jacob Newman, Millcreek
