Miller Time

Congressman Brad Miller, the Democrat incumbent in the 13th US Congressional District of North Carolina, met with local bloggers tonight at the Green Bean in Downtown Greensboro. I was able to attend, although that meant missing an event with UNCG PRIDE!

Sue Polinsky has posted some pictures of the meeting, including a picture of me doing what I do best… blogging (I was actually writing “Anti-Gay Politicians Watch 13” lol)

The meeting was productive and I left the more experienced bloggers to talk to Congressman Miller and his campaign manager PJ Puryear about using the web in his campaign.

I did take the time, however, to take advantage of the opportunity to ask Congressman Miller and PJ Puryear about the Congressman’s stance on various LGBT issues.

Here is the run-down:

• On Marriage Equality, the Congressman stated that he felt as though it was “inevitable” and that my generation and the generation after mine are more likely to approve of it and make it legal. Of course, he gave a great political answer to this one, as he didn’t state either way on whether or not he personally supported it.
• On civil unions and domestic partnerships, the Congressman is pretty much in support. He stated as though he felt same-sex couples should have some legal recognition to their relationships.
• The Congressman and I also discussed his support and co-sponsorship of HR 1059 (The Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”) and HR 3006 (The Permanent Partners Act, which would grant same-sex, bi-national couples the same immigration and visa statuses of straight, bi-national couples). I asked the Congressman if other members of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation might be willing to co-sponsor and to this the Congressman had no clear answer; he was only able to state those who he thought might be pursuaded to support the bills. He also stated that it was the HRC which helped to convince him in supporting the bills. Congressman Miller is the only member of the NC Congressional Delegation to be a co-sponsor of HR 1059 and HR 3006.

I’m actually really glad that I got to go to the meeting with Congressman Miller tonight. I was able to do my usual “representin’ the queer folk” thing and the Congressman was able to hear from some web experts in order to maybe improve his web campaigning.

I also found out about Vernon Robinson’s new radio ad tonight. Robinson is the leading Republican in the Republican 13th Disctrict primary (coming up on May 2). Most likely Robinson will be challenging the Congressman come November. To hear his new horribly bigoted radio ad click here.

Tonight wasn’t the first time I got to “hang out” with the Congressman though. I was able to chat with him for a short while at the April 11th reception held for new UNC President Erskine Bowles the night before his inauguration at UNCG. I was actually blown over when I introduced myself to him and he said something to the effect of “Oh, yes… I know who you are. I’ve read your blog before. Nice to meet you.” The next day, I introduced the UNCG Student Body Vice President Donald Hughes to him at the post-inauguration reception on the UNCG campus. There used to be a picture of me, the Congressman and Donald somewhere, but I can’t seem to find it. I’ll have to ask Donald for it.

Posted in Civil Rights, Democratic Party, Greensboro, LGBT, Marriage Equality, North Carolina, Politics |