Politician’s gay son speaks out against his dad’s anti-gay bill
A Texas Republican’s own son has spoken out to condemn a bill which would abolish protections for LGBT workers.
Texas State Representative Rick Miller has filed HB 1556 – an exact copy of an anti-gay law passed in Arkansas last month that voided all equal rights ordinances protecting workers on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
The bill states: “A county, municipality, or other political subdivision may not adopt or enforce a local law that creates a protected classification or prohibits discrimination on a basis not contained in the laws of this state.”
If passed in Texas, it would have a devastating effect on local equal rights laws, leaving workers from Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Plano and San Antonio without protection.
However. Mr Miller’s son – 41-year-old openly gay attorney Beau Miller – is not impressed with his father’s legislation.
He said on 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.
“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.”
