Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox speaks during a COVID-19 briefing at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. Cox unveiled a plan Friday to ramp up Utah's COVID-19 vaccine distribution as the state sees a post-holiday surge in new cases. Cox, a Republican, said he will issue an executive order requiring facilities to allocate their doses the week they are received and have local health departments manage distribution, with an expectation of administering 50,000 doses a week. (Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News, via AP, Pool)

Utah Governor Issues Proclamation in Support of Pride Month

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Republican Gov. Spencer J. Cox issued a proclamation Tuesday in support of LGBTQ Pride Month.

Cox is known for his compassionate stances toward LGBTQ people.

“Here in Utah, we strive to create a culture of hope, love, understanding, and respect by celebrating our common humanity,” the governor posted on Twitter. “Happy #Pride Month, Utah!”

The proclamation says that June is LGBTQ Pride Month and encourages “conversations about what it means to love each other, understand our differences, and support our LGBTQ+ friends and family members.”

It also says there are higher levels of mental health challenges for members of the LGBTQ community who aren’t accepted and encourages Utah to “cultivate a climate of inclusion and unconditional love for all.”