Republican governor: Spending time with trans kids 'changes your heart'

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah's conservative Republican governor choked up Thursday as he spoke about the struggles faced by transgender teenagers, though he didn't commit to vetoing a bill that would ban them from girls' sports.

Gov. Spencer Cox sought middle ground on a polarizing issue that is coming up in statehouses around the U.S., saying he wouldn't sign the current version of the proposal but there are "real, valid, serious concerns" among supporters who say transgender athletes can have an advantage in women's sports.

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Cox became emotional during a televised news conference on PBS-Utah as he talked about the difficulties faced by transgender teenagers.

"These kids. They're just trying to stay alive," he said. "When you spend time with these kids, it changes your heart in important ways."

Read more: https://trib.com/news/national/republican-governor-spending-time-with-trans-kids-changes-your-heart/article_35a4104c-bc85-5643-bca3-4bcefb8cc325.html
(Casper Star Tribune)

If Utah has to have a Republican governor, then I hope that he will be guided by compassion instead of dogma.