Michael Adam Milam, Celebration of Life

Michael Adam Milam, a well-known figure in Houston’s LGBTQ community and a longtime Montrose bartender, was killed in a hit-and-run crash in the early hours of Saturday, July 12, in New Orleans. He was riding his bicycle home from work when he was struck.

Milam had recently returned to New Orleans, a city he loved, to continue his bartending career in the heart of the French Quarter’s LGBTQ community. Though he had been back only a short time, his presence was already being felt by colleagues and patrons alike.

Since 2014, he regularly volunteered with PFLAG, offering his bartending talents for numerous fundraisers and events. He was also an active member of Houston Gaymers, a group for LGBTQ video game enthusiasts. What began as volunteer bartending at their meetups eventually evolved into a standing partnership, with the group hosting its monthly gatherings at Buddy’s—a collaboration made possible through Milam’s initiative and support.

Friends and colleagues say his advocacy and behind-the-scenes efforts quietly but powerfully strengthened the community he served.

Milam is survived by his older brother, Jeffry Faircloth of Houston, also a member of Houston’s LGBTQ community; sisters Hollie Faircloth of Idaho, Tiffany Gragg of New Orleans, Brittany Milam of Canyon, Texas, and Brandi Milam of Colorado; and his father and stepmother, Randy and Tara Milam of Houston. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dawne Engelke, who died in 2014 in Salado, Texas.

Adam, as he was lovingly known by close family and friends was a bright light to anyone he met, he never knew a stranger. We are raising funds to give him a memorial service in his hometown for his family to say their final goodbyes. Anything helps. Thank you so much

-Emily