Craig Miller

Craig Miller

DSA member

In 1991, Craig Miller was member of New York Democratic Socialists of America.

1991 Council run

New York City DSA endorsed 13 candidates in a crowded city council election.

The local saw its vision of a progressive coalition In city politics realized by The Majority Coalition for a New New York, which organized an independent political campaign for progressive city council candidates. One candidate. Craig Miller, was a DSA member .

Social Security benefits for same-sex couples

Link title On April 11, 2010, an energized crowd of more than 700 people rallied at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and marched more than a mile to the Social Security Administration office in Hollywood today to demand an end to the unconscionable discrimination that deprives older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) taxpayers of more than $120 million in Social Security benefits every year.

Representative Linda Sanchez —a member of the House Subcommittee on Social Security—announced that she will author legislation to provide equal Social Security benefits for same-sex couples and Rep. Judy Chu offered to co-author the bill. Other political and community leaders who spoke out at the event included Sen. Barbara Boxer, Rep. Laura Richardson, L.A. City Councilmember Paul Koretz, West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center CEO Lorri L. Jean, National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey and AIDS Community Action Foundation President Craig R. Miller..

Gay activism

Since creating the world's first AIDS Walk in Los Angeles in 1985, Craig R. Miller and his colleagues at MZA Events have have produced over 100 fundraisers in cities throughout the United States, garnering more than $375 million for the fight against AIDS.

In his early 20's, Craig was among California's youngest managers of progressive legislative and congressional campaigns, earning the respect of veteran members of the U.S. Congress, including Reps. Howard Berman and Anthony Beilenson, for his ability to guide long-shot campaigns to victory.

In 1984, he turned his attention to raising money for AIDS organizations in the hope of helping to fill the gap left by the government's negligible response to the epidemic. Immediately following the inaugural AIDS Walk Los Angeles-which astonished observers and organizers alike with its size and results-GMHC and other AIDS organizations called on Craig to help in their cities. Within the next 2 years, he founded AIDS Walk New York and AIDS Walk San Francisco.

The events Miller and his colleagues developed continue to be a mainstay of the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Always pursuing new ways to be effective, Miller formed AIDS Community Action Foundation (ACAF) in 2004. The Foundation's mission is to help reinvigorate America's response to the domestic HIV epidemic by funding cutting-edge AIDS activism.

Since its inception, ACAF has made tens of thousands of dollars in grants and has also directly funded efforts to raise awareness about the crystal meth epidemic fueling the spread of HIV among gay men. In partnership with the LA Gay and Lesbian Center, ACAF has been spearheading efforts to achieve Social Security and Disability benefits equality for LGBT people and is the co-sponsor of such legislation by U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Los Angeles). In general, ACAF funds programs aimed at giving rise to the next generation of AIDS activists.

In recent years, Craig has become a student of Zen Buddhist meditation and is deeply grateful to his teachers everywhere.

Social Security Equality Rally

On April 26, 2012, a Social Security Equality Rally was held in Washington DC.

Rally Speakers were - Congresswoman Linda Sanchez D- CA, Sponsor, Lorri L. Jean, CEO LA G&L Center, Rea Carey, NGLTF ED, Michael Adams, ED, SAGE Personalities Hal Sparks and George (& Brad Takei)

A Luncheon was held in conjunction with : Congressman David Cicilline, D-RI & Craig Miller, AIDS Community Action Foundation.