Meet Ana Miller | Hoouseless Rights Activist, musician, & Odd Duck

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ana Miller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ana, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in Golden, Colorado. My mother was the exactly what you expect for a 60’s hippie. My father was a blue collar chef. We were never well off. Hell on more then one occasion I can remember my parents going to the pawn shop to make sure rent was paid. We moved to Georgia my freshman year of High School. By this point I was already big into punk, and leftist politics, thanks to oldest, best friend. Growing up in the North Atlanta suburbs was horrible. We have a mega church, with a dome for services. They also ran pray away the gay camps. Mind you this is a county that was 80ish% Trump last election. Being a queer, leftist punk, was basically walking around with a target on my back. I was constantly in trouble at school. Getting kicked out of class for refusing to stand for the pledge, handing out anti racist literature, etc,,,,, I left Georgia the first time right after I dropped out. Sadly by this point I was becoming more of an alcoholic. Then my mother passed away, and it all spiraled down from there. She was my biggest influence in my life. She was the reason that I always stood up for those who couldn’t. Helping people, just because they needed it. She was an amazing person who touched so many lives.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I do houseless outreach for Housekeys Action Network Denver. I’ve been with them for about 6 months. I’ve always been a passionate person about houseless rights, LGTBQA rights, basically equal rights for everyone. I got more heavily involved with houseless rights, due to being houseless on, and off for 10 years. The reason I’ve only been recently more involved is because for a long time I was Raging alcoholic. I got sober just over a year ago, and was finally able to feel comfortable at rallies about 6 months ago. My biggest accomplishment was spearheading an action to help the people in the Covid respite hotel I was living at, from being thrown out to the streets, or shelters when it was closed. We’re still fighting with the city about. I did learn how fast you can burn out though, and had a huge blow up where I preceeded to embarrass myself. I learned how not get soooo overwhelmed, and be happy with the small wins, cause they build up eventually to a big win. If you’re in Denver, and want to help fight for fair housing. Please look up Housekeys Action Network Denver, and come join us.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh that is easy, he lives here. Haha. I would say my top spots in Denver are in no particular order. Mutiny Information Cafe, Bar Bar, Bar Nun, The 16th St Mall (not for shopping, but people watching), Read and Black, in Arvada, Chain Reaction Records in Lakewood, 7th Circle Music Collective, Denver Central Library (6 stories of books!), Five Points (the Harlem of The West), Hi-Dive, this list could go one forever!!!! I’m not going tontry to list every great band, artist from here, cause their are soo many. My favorites at the moment are Certain Punishment, Motherfucker Theresa, Church Fire, Drink Drank Punk, Damnit Jim, CALTROPS, BERATED, the author Gogo Germaine, and yet again this list is super long.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First off my mother (R.I.P.) you always told me to be myself, and that no one could ever take that away from me. I love you, and miss you everyday. My father for instilling a hard working ethic in me.
My brothers, and sisters from another Chris, Nicola, Colin, Pony, Jackie, the Keens, Ali Cat, and Katie thanks for sticking by me through every dumb thing I’ve ever done, and picking me right back up.
All my friends that have stuck by me even if we haven’t seen each other in years.
All my friends that have passed. R.I.P.
The people at H.A.N.D. for taking a chance on my crazy ass, and bringing me into their family, especially V, & Terese.
Finally, all those fighting all around the world against oppression, and hate to make the world a bit more tolerable, I STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH YOU!!!

Instagram: @ana_gloom

Image Credits
1&2 H.A.N.D. 3&4 Myself