I’m here because those 49 people were gay. I am probably not who you expected to hear from today.'Ĭox continued: 'I’m here because yesterday morning, 49 Americans were brutally murdered. The speech is not only a moving tribute to the Orlando victims - it's also a great example of how to be a good ally to marginalized communities that you support but aren’t a member of.Ĭox started off saying that he had 'an admission and an apology' for the vigil attendees: 'I recognize fully that I am a balding, youngish, middle-aged straight, white, male, Republican politician' (many in the crowd burst into laughter at this) 'with all of the expectations and privileges that come with those labels. It's an incredible speech full of empathy and humility, and it’s worth watching in full. Spencer Cox gave a moving, tearful speech apologizing to the LGBTQ community for treating them poorly in his early life, and expressing gratitude to them for helping him realize the error of his ways. At a Monday vigil in Salt Lake City for the victims of the Orlando shooting, Utah Lt.
