We’ve heard countless stories of antigay conservatives having a change of heart when one of their children or close family members comes out as gay, but that’s either a long way off from happening or a mere pipe dream in the case of Beau Miller and his dad, Texas Representative Rick Miller.
Beau is an attorney and HIV activist in a long term relationship, and just last year thought his family had made a breakthrough when the couple was invited home for Christmas.
But a mere seven weeks later, his dad Rick filed a bill that would repeal local ordinances banning discrimination against gay and transgender people, attempting to roll back progress in the state.
“We were invited to Christmas, and I thought that was a good step,” Beau told the Dallas News. But now, “My dad wants people to be able to have the opportunity to discriminate against his own son.”
How about we take this to the next level?
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In March, Beau went to the Capitol to confront his dad over the ill-conceived bill, and the two haven’t spoken since, save for a few text messages when they each had a recent birthday.
Gays, Rick argues, have “become a protected class” whose status is “discriminatory toward me” and other God-fearing Christians.
“I’m a person who believes in individual liberty and freedom,” he said, “and I don’t discriminate personally.”
Rick has also said publicly that he feels Beau being gay is a “chosen lifestyle.” Because he’d really be the best person to judge that.
On whether or not they can mend their relationship, Rick said, “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.”
Beau doesn’t want to lose his father altogether, either. “I do love him, and I love him unconditionally,” he said. “I don’t have to like everything he does.”
He added in a Facebook post, “I do have love and support in this tough time, but many people whom these bills would impact don’t. They need to know they’re not alone and have the love and support of a vast number of people.”
While we wish Beau the best in his family life, that’s one Thanksgiving table we don’t want a seat anywhere near.
Giancarlo85
See republican politics really does destroy families… where are all the right wing gays on here now? Nowhere to be fucking found. They are too busy defending traitors like Guy Benson.
tricky ricky
daddy better get his act together and denounce his son in public before bryan fischer gets on his case.
Cam
“On whether or not they can mend their relationship, Rick said, “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.””
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So in other words, the dad can attack the very existence and right of his son to live his life, as well as basic civil rights, but the relationship is “Up to the Son”.
Typical bigot
Desert Boy
I feel badly for Beau Miller. But, Texas is a profoundly homophobic, anti-gay state and the disdain the Texas bigots have for “teh gays” outweighs the love for child.
onthemark
Again with the “unconditional love” and all that gibberish.
What’s so bad about conditional love?
I think Beau should give the relationship a rest… a long, long rest. And be prepared for it to be a permanent break. Just ignore his father until (or unless) he wakes up.
AtticusBennett
*ahem*
the question is for the son: you allow your father to treat you this way. you want to keep a relationship with him
but does HE want to keep a relationship with you? it doesn’t sound like it. in fact, it sounds like he has no intention of changing his mind – and thus far, he has no reason to. he denigrates you, and you still come around.
my parents have some advice for anyone in that situation:
https://youtu.be/Ya8-ECHxMPQ
GraciesDaddy
Dear Beau Miller: I really, really hope that YOU are the one to pick out your daddy’s’ nursing home!
Can you say, “Shady Pines”?
Mykaels
I ditched the majority of my family members over their views of my “lifestyle” and never looked back. It was the most liberating, refreshing thing I ever did. The love I thought I would miss meant so little to the massive huge weight off my chest and shoulders, the relief, the loss of tension and negativity. In the end, the love for myself i gained was a tsunami compared to the splash of love I lost.
Bauhaus
@Mykaels:
Good for you. Truly.
Most of us don’t have parents actually legislating anti-gay laws, but many of us do have parents and family members who support [vote for] and agree with these detestable people. It’s complicated. It’s exhausting and tragic. Accepting that a parent or sibling just doesn’t love you can be devastating at first, but it can be liberating, too.
The father has no shame. The antipathy he has for his son is heartbreaking.
James Hart
@Giancarlo85: It’s not just Republicans. My mother voted Democratic her whole life, but she was a devout Catholic who wouldn’t condone homosexuality or abortion in any way, shape, or form.
Giancarlo85
@James Hart: Nope. It’s mostly republicans. I don’t care about exceptions to the rule. I’m talking about generally. A vast majority of democrats support LGBT equality. A vast majority of republicans do not.
But where are the gay conservatives and republicans on here?
BJ, Kieran, MCHG, wagnerwallace? No fucking where to be found!
Kieran
@Giancarlo85: Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist party?
Admit it, you’re a gay commie aren’t you?
(Since you can guess about other people’s party affiliation, we can guess about you.)
Giancarlo85
@Kieran: Oh look who decided to show up…
It’s the one dimensional thinker.
jwtraveler
@Mykaels: You’re a great role model for gays who are torn between their bigoted families and their own happiness. Congratulations! Much power and happiness to you.
tjr101
@Kieran: Judging from your past comments I wouldn’t call it guessing party affiliation. You may not be openly Republican, but you’re certainly one in the voting booth.
NoCagada
@Kieran: Sounds like typical republican babble
McShane
That must be really upsetting coming from his dad. But, Beau has a fantastic education and Live Consortium is doing amazing work. I really like The Needle Prick Program. https://www.facebook.com/getpricked Check it out, it’s really cool.
IvanPH
How can he still l
IvanPH
How could he still love someone who obviously does not accept him? If i were him, i’d cut my ties with my a-hole father and pretend that he’s dead. Who needs such negativity in one’s life?!
tsginamarieva
@GraciesDaddy: To borrow a line from Homer Simpson: “Put him one of those homes that have been featured on 60 minutes.”
Billysees
@Bauhaus:
“The father has no shame. The antipathy he has for his son is heartbreaking.”
How sadly true. Also, the father is a southern baptist extreme fundamentalist, which easily explains his attitude.