Gay activist speaks out about his father trying to take his rights away
Texas Republican politician Rick Miller tried to repeal LGBT non-discrimination laws – to the dismay of his gay activist son.
Rick Miller believes that laws protecting LGBT people from discrimination are “discriminatory toward me”. According to the Dallas News he said: “I’m a person who believes in individual liberty and freedom, and I don’t discriminate personally.”
But his son, Beau Miller, begs to differ. Beau says: “My dad wants people to be able to have the opportunity to discriminate against his own son.”
Rick says of his son’s sexuality: “I personally feel that’s a chosen lifestyle.”
But father and son are both keen to rebuild a relationship, despite their differences.
Beau brought his boyfriend of four years to visit his family at Christmas – just before his father filed the anti-gay bill.
He said: “We were invited to Christmas, and I thought that was a good step. We talked like families do. It was just a really good moment.
“I do love him, and I love him unconditionally. I don’t have to like everything he does.”
Since his father made the proposals, they have not spoken beyond exchanging a few text messages.
Rick says: “From my wife and I’s perspective, it’s up to him. We’ll want to talk to him. We’ll want to get together with him at Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
Texan lawmakers filed more anti-gay bills than any other state last year.
