Turns out it’s divisive.

Now, in a exclusive statement to PEOPLE through his representative Leslee Dart, Hanks is softening his stance.

Last week, I labeled members of the Mormon church who supported California’s Proposition 8 as “un-American.” I believe Proposition 8 is counter to the promise of our Constitution; it is codified discrimination. But everyone has a right to vote their conscience – nothing could be more American. To say members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who contributed to Proposition 8 are “un-American” creates more division when the time calls for respectful disagreement. No one should use “un-American” lightly or in haste. I did. I should not have.

I guess it just slipped out. Exit question: Why the change of heart? I like to imagine he was home surfing the Net and had his heart touched by a certain clip of B-listers espousing a little bit of Hope and a whole lot of Change…