• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Gay Pride
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Film/TV/Stream
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Tech/Science
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox

Texas Lawmaker’s Gay Son Responds To Father’s Arkansas-Style Anti-LGBT Bill

John Wright March 5, 2015

MillerFinal

The other day we told you about an Arkansas-style anti-LGBT bill that's been introduced in the Texas Legislature. 

The proposal from GOP Rep. Rick Miller (above left) would prohibit cities from adopting or enforcing nondiscrimination ordinances protecting LGBT people. The proposal is nearly identical to Arkansas' Senate Bill 202, which became law last month. But the Texas bill would have a far more sweeping effect, undoing LGBT protections that have passed in cities with a combined population of more than 7.5 million, including Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Plano and San Antonio. 

As it turns out, Texas' Rep. Miller has a gay son, Beau Miller (above right). 

From The Texas Observer: 

Rep. Miller’s son, Beau Miller, an openly gay 41-year-old Houston attorney, is an HIV and LGBT activist.  Miller said he was “extremely disappointed” to learn about his father’s bill.

“If the bill progresses through the Legislature, I’m sure there will be a robust conversation about the impact not only on minority communities, such as the LGBT community, but also on local rule in Texas,” Beau Miller said.

Meanwhile, Rep. Miller provided this explanation for his proposal, according to the Observer:

“HB 1556 will prevent local governments from expanding business regulations beyond limitations established in state law,” Miller told the Observer. “Competing and inconsistent local ordinances interfere with economic liberty and discourage business expansion. By promoting instead of restricting business growth, this bill is about job creation and an improved state economy, both of which have a direct, positive impact on Texas citizens."

Beau Miller later posted the following Facebook:

As many of you know by now, my dad has authored and submitted a bill in the Texas House of Representatives that, if signed into law, would prevent municipalities in Texas from maintaining sexual orientation anti-discrimination laws. While I love my dad very much, I am extremely disappointed by his actions and will do everything I can to prevent that bill, or any such legislation, from becoming law.

I have been in fairly intense talks with my dad and his office about this issue. Although I am hopeful that I can persuade him to agree to not pursue this bill’s advancement, that outcome is far from certain. If anyone would like to help in this effort, I suggest writing to him about yours or a friend’s experience with discrimination and how it felt. To that end, and with full recognition of the deep emotions at play, please do not match hate with hate, or engage in name calling or insults. It does not help. Those type of communications tend to do more harm than good.

This is also a time to reflect on the fact that while marriage equality is in sight, the fight for justice and civil rights for all is far from over. It is at these times we should all remember Martin Niemöller’s poem: First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

On an even more personal note, I would like to thank my amazing partner and friends for your unconditional love and support. This would be so much tougher without you.

Beau

You can contact Rep. Miller at 512-463-0710 or Rick.Miller@house.state.tx.us.

 

 

Topics: Business, LGBT Rights More Posts About: Arkansas, discrimination, gay rights, houston, LGBT Rights, Texas, Texas

Related Posts
  • Texas Republicans’ Platform Calls Your LGBTQ Life an “Abnormal Lifestyle Choice”; Declares Biden Election Illegitimate, Despite Evidence;
  • Idaho, Alabama, Wisconsin Advance Anti-Trans Youth Bills, Including Life In Prison Punishment For Providing Puberty Blockers
  • The 100,000 (est) Men Convicted for Same-Sex Contact Under UK’s Maze of Sodomy Laws Over The Last Few Hundred Years Can Get Pardons Now. Bit Late For Some.
  • Lady Gaga, Tom Daley and first all-male ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ couple among winners of 2022 ‘British LGBT Awards’

    Lady Gaga, Tom Daley and first all-male ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ couple among winners of 2022 ‘British LGBT Awards’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Lady Gaga, Tom Daley and the first all-male ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ couple were among the winners of this year’s ‘British LGBT Awards’. Vogue director Edward Enninful, 50, and singer Alicia Keys, …Read More »
  • Factbox-Where abortion is still legal in the U.S. after the fall of Roe v. Wade

    Factbox-Where abortion is still legal in the U.S. after the fall of Roe v. Wade

    Published by Reuters (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision paves the way for about half of the 50 states to ban or heavily restrict women’s access to abortions. …Read More »
  • Analysis-Trump’s justices decisive in long campaign to overturn Roe v. Wade

    Analysis-Trump’s justices decisive in long campaign to overturn Roe v. Wade

    Published by Reuters By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Seventeen months after leaving office, former President Donald Trump delivered on a campaign promise when the conservative U.S. Supreme Court majority he cemented overturned the 1973 Roe …Read More »
  • U.S. Supreme Court overturns abortion rights landmark

    U.S. Supreme Court overturns abortion rights landmark

    Published by Reuters By Lawrence Hurley and Andrew Chung WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday took the dramatic step of overturning the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that recognized a woman’s constitutional …Read More »
Previous Post: « Towleroad Guide to the Tube #1703
Next Post: Eighth Circuit Stays Federal Ruling Striking Down Nebraska’s Gay Marriage Ban »

Primary Sidebar

News

  • Billie Eilish tells Glastonbury fans to scream away anxieties at history making headline slot

    Billie Eilish tells Glastonbury fans to scream away anxieties at history making headline slot

  • Landmark gun-safety bill heads to U.S. House after Senate passage

    Landmark gun-safety bill heads to U.S. House after Senate passage

  • Prosecutors seek 25-year prison sentence for Chauvin over breach of Floyd’s rights

    Prosecutors seek 25-year prison sentence for Chauvin over breach of Floyd’s rights

RSS Partner Links

  • Why WEEKEND Is Still The Hottest Explicit Gay Film
  • Saturday 'Stache
  • Maya Rudolph Says She Forces Her Kids To Play Music
  • Lizzo Donating $500K From Upcoming Tour To Planned Parenthood
  • Lily James, Kit Harington, Rose Leslie & More Celebs Have Been Spotted at Glastonbury 2022! (Photos)
  • WATCH: Julie Andrews looks back at legendary career and first appearance on “The View”
  • Billy Eichner’s upcoming movie “Bros” could do lots to educate straights about romantic lives of gays

Most Recent

  • US sports stars shocked by ‘terrifying’ abortion decision

    US sports stars shocked by ‘terrifying’ abortion decision

  • Lady Gaga, Tom Daley and first all-male ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ couple among winners of 2022 ‘British LGBT Awards’

    Lady Gaga, Tom Daley and first all-male ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ couple among winners of 2022 ‘British LGBT Awards’

  • Factbox-Where abortion is still legal in the U.S. after the fall of Roe v. Wade

    Factbox-Where abortion is still legal in the U.S. after the fall of Roe v. Wade

  • Analysis-Trump’s justices decisive in long campaign to overturn Roe v. Wade

    Analysis-Trump’s justices decisive in long campaign to overturn Roe v. Wade

  • U.S. Supreme Court overturns abortion rights landmark

    U.S. Supreme Court overturns abortion rights landmark

  • Elon Musk’s daughter granted name change to cut ties with father and reflect new gender identity

    Elon Musk’s daughter granted name change to cut ties with father and reflect new gender identity

  • Prince Charles to give blessing to Commonwealth countries wanting to remove Queen Elizabeth as head of state

    Prince Charles to give blessing to Commonwealth countries wanting to remove Queen Elizabeth as head of state

  • Anne Hathaway ‘so influenced’ by Patricia Field

    Anne Hathaway ‘so influenced’ by Patricia Field

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Copyright © 2022 · Log in