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---
description: Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox apologized for the way he previously treated gay people and called for more tolerance after the Orlando shooting
title: Utah Lt. Gov: &#x27;My Heart Has Changed&#x27; After Orlando Shooting
image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbcd97111dfe2f282/698897fbcd1bba18be7011e7/spencer-cox-orlando-vigil.jpg?branch=production&amp;width=3840&amp;quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;crop=16:9
---

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# Utah Lt. Gov. Says 'My Heart Has Changed' After Orlando Shooting


![Katie Reilly](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2d44349b17cd03f9/6989408a457a5206a2d600b2/k_reilly.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

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Jun 15, 2016 7:55 PM CUT

![State Debates Gay Non-Discrimination Bill](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbcd97111dfe2f282/698897fbcd1bba18be7011e7/spencer-cox-orlando-vigil.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

Utah Lt. Governor Spencer Cox speaks before members of the Utah House and Senate along with several hundred gay and lesbian rights supporters in support of a non-discrimination bill at the Utah State Capitol on February 26, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Utah Lt. Governor Spencer Cox speaks before members of the Utah House and Senate along with several hundred gay and lesbian rights supporters in support of a non-discrimination bill at the Utah State Capitol on February 26, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah.George Frey/Getty Images

![Katie Reilly](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2d44349b17cd03f9/6989408a457a5206a2d600b2/k_reilly.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

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## Katie Reilly


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Jun 15, 2016 7:55 PM CUT

Speaking at a candlelight vigil for victims of the Sunday [shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando](http://time.com/4368674/orlando-shooting-omar-mateen-2/ "undefined"), Republican Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox apologized for the way he previously treated gay people and called for more tolerance.

“May we leave today with a resolve to be a little kinder,” Cox said. “May we try to listen more and talk less. May we forgive someone that has wronged us. And perhaps, most importantly, try to love someone that is different than us. For my straight friends, might I suggest starting with someone who is gay.”

Here are his [full remarks](https://medium.com/next-right/tribute-to-orlando-c014acd6fb3f#.pn31b14kn "undefined") from the vigil on Monday in Salt Lake City:

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> “”

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**Read more:** [Republicans, Start Saying ‘Gay’ When You Talk About Orlando](http://time.com/4368916/orlando-shooting-republicans-gay/ "undefined")

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> “”

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