Dear Gov. Cox,
I am writing to formally urge you, as the governor of Utah and a leader who has publicly spoken about civility and inclusion, to take appropriate disciplinary action in response to Rep. Trevor Lee’s recent proposal to rename Harvey Milk Boulevard after Charlie Kirk. This proposal is not merely controversial — it is an act of deliberate provocation that amounts to a hostile message to LGBTQ+ Utahns.
Harvey Milk was a pioneering civil rights leader whose legacy represents courage, authenticity, and the ongoing struggle for equality in America. His name on a street in Salt Lake City stands as a powerful symbol of inclusion and the state’s willingness to honor those who have advanced the cause of human rights.
Rep. Lee’s attempt to replace that name with one associated with inflammatory, exclusionary rhetoric is an affront to the dignity of LGBTQ+ people and a direct challenge to the values of unity and respect that your administration claims to uphold.
This proposal is not about public policy or civic betterment. It is a performative, politically motivated stunt designed to provoke and divide. And while every legislator is entitled to their opinions, using their public office to target marginalized communities is unacceptable.
Gov. Cox, I am calling on you to publicly denounce Rep. Lee’s actions and to work with House leadership to hold him accountable. Whether through formal censure or other disciplinary measures, it is imperative that our government send a clear message: Utah does not condone bigotry — not in its laws, not in its symbols, and not from its elected officials.
Failing to respond to this incident risks normalizing hate and further eroding the trust of LGBTQ+ Utahns in their government. We look to our leaders, especially our governor, to rise above partisan antics and affirm that Utah is a place for all its people — not just those who fit a narrow political or cultural mold.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and await your leadership.
Clifton Wright, Salt Lake City
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