"I've been debating how to open this conversation, " Miller said. "I feel like saying, 'Howdy.'"
About 75 percent of the 150 or so people gathered in the university's ballroom wore the hats as a sign of silent protest against Miller's decision to ban the movie "Brokeback Mountain" from his theaters because of its homosexual themes.
But the students and other supporters of the gay community listened politely to Miller's speech about his business success and his contributions to education.
"We're wearing the hats to show how individuals were hurt when he didn't show 'Brokeback Mountain,'" said Charles Milne, coordinator for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center at the U. But "we're going to be here listening to his speech in celebration of his right to speak."
Milne was one of about 30 people who met with Miller on Thursday to discuss concerns that orginally prompted some students to protest organizers' choice for the speech, part of "Discover U Days," several days of events encouraging the community to get involved with the university.
Before moving into his planned speech, Miller took a few minutes to describe that meeting. "Something remarkable happened in this building the other day," he said, tears welling in his eyes. "For two hours, we had a remarkably open dialogue, and I learned a lot.'
Miller said people on all sides of the issue went into the meeting "with one thing in common: fear and trepidation," but the group quickly established a feeling of respect, if not agreement. Miller said people in the meeting told him stories of being ostracized by family members and the community in general because of their sexual orientation.
"One of the great lessons learned by me, and maybe others in that room, is that we have a lot more in common than we previously thought."
Milne said Miller's refusal to show the movie 'sends the message that gay people are not valued members of society. And when you're already feeling like you're not a part of the community . . . It really does affect people's self-esteem."
