Miss California Reveals Opposition To Gay Marriage

I guess we can all deduce how Miss California voted on California's Prop 8 (if she did vote) given her response to Perez Hilton's question about same-sex marriage during the Miss USA pageant on Sunday night.

Perez, who was a judge, asked Miss California, whose name is Carrie Prejean, whether every state should legalize gay marriage in the wake of Vermont becoming the fourth state to do so.

Miss California responded: "Well, I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what? In my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised and that's how I think it should be, between a man and a woman. Thank you very much."

I, of course, disagree with Miss California, who got booed by some members of the audience. Also, I had to chuckle when she called straight marriage "opposite" marriage. But I have to say I respect her for not pandering to Perez and for speaking her mind. That took guts. Others in her position might have very well been tempted to pretend to support gay marriage for fear of offending one of the judges or have given a more obtuse answer.

And, by the way, I also liked the fact that the questions posed to the final five Miss USA candidates were all in relation to substantive issues. One of the other contestants, for example, was asked a question about domestic violence, and Chris Brown's name came up.

In the end, Miss California was first runner up in the big pageant, with Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton taking the Miss USA title.

So what did you think of Miss California's response to Perez' query, and do you think her stance on gay marriage cost her the crown? Or did Miss North Carolina just look that much better in a bathing suit?

Keith Lewis, executive director of Miss California USA/Miss Teen USA, just issued a statement to Perez Hilton, condemning Miss California's remarks, stating, "As co-executive director of Miss [California] USA and one of the leaders of the Miss [California] family, I am personally saddened and hurt that Miss [California] USA 2009 believes marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman. Although I believe all religions should be able to ordain what unions they see fit, I do not believe our government should be able to discriminate against anyone. Religious beliefs have no place in politics in the Miss [California] family."

Like I said earlier, I disagree with Miss California's take on gay marriage, but she has a right to her opinion. And it wasn't like she wanted to use the Miss USA pageant as a platform to speak out against gay marriage. She was asked a question, and she answered it as required by the contest. If Lewis doesn't think religious beliefs or politics have a place in pageants, then maybe he should lobby the Miss USA pageant to not  allow its judges to ask such politically-charged questions.

(Photo: NBC)

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Comments

[Hector]

She had every right to say it, this is America. We do not have to agree with it, and we can fight to make sure she doesn't get her way, but she has every right to say it if she feels it.

[sandro]

damn she is very hot!!!!!!!!
I agree with her marriage should be M+F not q+q
lol

[Fool 4 love]

Yeah, this is America, we might not agree with it. Of course that's the way she was raised, were it's perfectly normal for a woman to put on heels and a skimpy suit and parade, nearly naked across an audience, both public and televised, that what Jesus would do also.

[the_real_sweedie]

I codemn her for believing that marriage should be between a man and a woman, but I of course think that she should be able to say whatever she feels about it. She just needs to know what the consequences are, she is gonna piss people off, and they have a right to get pissed off just like she has the right to say whatever she wants about gay marriage. If you don't bitch about people reacting to what you said then I'm ok with you saying whatever you want. Freedom of speech goes both ways.

[Ronnie]

I do not agree with Miss California's opinion but then again who cares what she thinks? She is a beauty queen and nothing more. She was there to parade around in a swim suit and look pretty, not answer political questions. I don't think anyone watches these thing for stimulating political commentary. She isn't a politician, shes a whore that parades around half naked on camera. Why would he ask a question like this to someone like that in the first place?

[Ronnie]

I completely agree with Fool 4 love. She puts on skimpy outfits and parades herself around like some show dog on national television for straight, old perverts at home yet gay marriage is against her "christian morals". Parading around like a whore on television is very Christian!

[Caleb]

She has every right to say what she believes. She may sound dumb as a box of hair and three sheets to the wind, but certainly, she has a right to sound that way, even if it is against our goals as a community.

[Devansell]

She can say whatever she wants Besides she's Miss USA 2009. You Go NC!

[jason]

Aww man that sucks...I thought just based on shallow vanity reasons like us gay people do that she should have won. With that foo- foo dress I thought for sure she would be a fruit fly. Oh well then she opened up that perfect pie hole and yapped yapped yapped...I guess n. carolina will have to do. Hopefully she doesnt fall @ Mrs. Universe.

[the_real_sweedie]

By the way, I just read that she believes that she lost her crown because she didn't support gay marriage. And also that her sister is a gay rights activist.

This pisses me off. Blaming losing on your oppinnion is just bull shit, and it puts the blame on us instead. Take responsibility for what you did wrong, like not be able to formulate a sentence correctly, and don't put the blame on other people.
Secondly, how can she have been raised to believe that gay marriage is wrong when her sister has been raised the complete opposite way? Where you raised in sepparate families?

And also, what Fool 4 love and Ronnie said. Whoredom and scary fake smiles sure represents Christian values well...

[Paul]

Someone doesn't agree with you; get over it.

Besides, she has to factor in that endorsement deals and other contracts could be affected by her answer.

[NObama]

Yay for same sex marriages- it's wrong wrong

[Chacha Hills]

You must be really not have a life if you pay attention to what bubble head miss america thinks about gay marriage .I am sure she will end up in next 10 years in porn movies like the other miss america did.So who cares next time give her cock a for her mouth to shut her up !

[Steve]

I'm actually quite impressed with her. To have the courage to speak your mind (especially in a crowd like that) is no less commendable than if she were a pro-gay marriage advocate in a room full of conservatives.

Way to go sweetheart!.
(^_^)

[John]

Hey, everyone's entitled to their own opinions, but I agree with Chacha Hills, why is the opinion of a plastic looking, bobble head on important social issue matter so much! I'm not saying they are all dumb, but the pageant is a BEAUTY pageant! The more important questions for this type of pageant are ... Why does her boobs look so fake in that picture? Where did she get her fake tan from? Is she a real blonde, or a fake one? Does she wear fake nails?

[Richie]

While I don't agree with her stance either -- at least she said it in a more dignified way than some of the responses here.

[Tony]

I am basically against anyone telling someone else that they can’t do something because of their race, creed, color, or sexual preference. That said, I am very conflicted over the issue of gay marriage. My core belief is that Marriage is an outdated institution that belongs in the realm of organized religious organizations. However, I feel equally as strongly that nobody has the right to tell me what I can or cannot do if it does not endanger the physical, moral and ethical well being of society and/or the community to which I belong.

Essentially ‘Marriage’ is, by its very notion, a useless and unnecessary institution in today’s ‘secular’ world. However, historically, ‘Marriage’ (the religious institution) has taken on a legally binding meaning that crosses over into the realm of civil law. If we can, as a society, separate the legally binding civil union aspect from the nebulous ideological concept of marriage (which cannot be defined in concrete terms and thus has no place in a code of legal laws and legislations that govern a secular society) then I have no problem saying that I don’t need ‘Marriage’ in my life. However, this is a much more complicated modification to contemporary laws and legislation.

Historically we have muddied the line between civil laws and ideological concept by allowing the narrow minded vows of the religious institution of marriage to establish rights and obligations with regards to joint property, taxes, employee human resources benefits, federal and state allotted benefits, legally binding power of attorney, support issues, alimony ….etc. etc. the list goes on for quite some length. Practically all of these rights are granted instantly and at no extra cost when a man and a woman purchase a “marriage” license.

Taking ‘organized religion’ out of marriage (in other words causing secular societies’ laws and regulations to not recognize ‘Marriage’ but to recognize only legally binding civil unions) is quite a daunting and major overhaul. This reformation of civil law will take enormous amounts of time and financial resources to investigate all aspects and issues involved in this drastic new way of thinking. We would need to establish new policies and procedures that address, on a secular civil law level, the rights responsibilities and obligations currently addressed and granted by ‘Marriage.’ Albeit, what would happen when we cross over into other countries and sovereign states? ‘Marriage’ between a man and a woman is pretty much universally accepted worldwide without reapplying for the rights afforded a traditionally ‘married’ couple each and every time you cross a border.

On the other hand, I suppose we could go to ‘organized religious institutions’ (regardless of the fact that I personally feel ‘organized religious institutions’ generally have less to do with ideological concepts of a god or a socially pro-active religious morality and ethic than they do with self preservation of the corporation and control of their patrons) We could say “hey Baptist, or Roman Catholic, or Jewish or Islamic church, temple or synagogue you now have to accept marriage between couples of alternate, non-traditional sexual preference into your canon of laws and rules because for the sake of expediting and simplifying the conversion from law of ‘marriage’ to ‘civil union’ we so decree it effective immediately!” And, of course, they can simply reply “No we don’t! We are an independently private world wide corporation that is governed by the rules and regulation established by our own administrative body (which incidentally is a bunch of well intentioned and generally outdated moralistic and ethical rules written by group of ordained guys a long time ago) The church or churches, religious institutions or whatever you wish to call them, who hold these views, would be perfectly within their right to say this! As private corporations they are no more obliged to accept Gay Marriage than Nike is obliged to give out free sneakers to every 13 year old who can’t afford them regardless of whether the governments of the U.S. or any country for that matter, declares this edict a law.

I guess in an odd sort of way this begs the question “why do people who live alternative life styles want to be recognized, albeit, accepted by institutions that publically find their life styles to be abhorrent?” (Regardless of the questionable life style practices and opinions of some of the governing body members of these institutions)

• In another conclusion, why are people who live alternative life styles so eager to jump on the band wagons of catch phrase political issues like “gay Marriage” when the issue is used manipulatively or implemented by the likes of New York State Governor David Paterson? It seems apparent to me that Gov. Paterson’s raising this issue now is the desperate attempt of a dismal failure of a governor to pander to a constituency. David Paterson is a failure in the polls, a failure in general governance and a failure in fiscal jurisprudence. If it were within his capacity of governance to resolve anything in New York State, I would rather he concentrate his efforts on the fiscal crisis at hand; not a purely symbolic token aimed and winning him popularity and votes.

[Don]

I am more concerned that the Matthew Shepard act get passed and become the law of the land (it didn't get through congress) than I am this issue of gay marriage yet.

I think over time people will change and this issue will become a non-issue because it just won't matter. Among younger voters it doesn't matter right now..

[NOT Bradford]

How DARE she have an opinion that isn't supporting the gay agenda. how DARE she believe something? I mean - she has an opinion to believe marriage is something someone else doesn't? She has NO idea what being gay is about - it's about letting gay.com choose your opinion and you just dealing with it.

[Joe in Sonoma]

She's just another Republican cunt. I hope this kills any chance of her having a career.

[Lance]

can we really be angry with her? I thought it was the other side that stifled personal expression...to be angry would put one in danger of being a hypocrite.

[ParrishKline]

Of course she can express her opinion but, if she wanted to win, it was a poor choice of expression.

[JCBoy]

I guess she is ok with her answer... She is honest and she believe that the marriage must to be between a man and a woman and its true... That is a patrialcal institution created by women who needed protection and for men who need food and get sex, they called marriage and now gays wanna use that institution cause we need social aprobation, but we are wrong... we dont need the marriage to feel love and have a strong rellationship... Sometimes we need to put somethings under law, and we could feel our partner is protected if we die or something like that... but must be just for that kind of things... but when we wanna a wedding cake and things like that, I guess is stupid... we are many steps beyond that...

[Dave]

I guess you aren't allowed to be a Christian and win the Miss USA. I hope she sues since the only reason she lost was due to Hilton's anti-Christian bigotry.

[nutloaf]

The bimbo spoke her mind — what there is of it — and that's entirely her prerogative. Unlike the Miss America competition, which supposedly looks for a well-rounded "All-American Gal," possessed of poise, talent, brains and beauty, the Miss USA contest is just a beauty pageant to select who will represent the USA in the Miss Universe competition which is also a beauty contest. Because of this, I wonder why the coordinators feel a need to pose questions on hot-button issues in the first place. However, if they're going to do it, in order to be more fair, each finalist should be asked the SAME question, out of hearing range of the others who could be wearing headphones or some such to prevent their knowing the question in advance and hearing how the others respond. How fair is it to ask different questions when trying to compare answers? But I digress. The woman said what she believes, no matter how small-minded it shows her to be, and that's her right. Did it cost her the crown? Maybe, maybe not. I, for one, could not care less. The opinions of a beauty queen don't carry any weight in the big picture.

[Sargon Bighorn]

"Integrity" is the new discrimination. Don't we all admire the KKK for their integrity. Don't we all admire the Nazis for their Integrity. Yeah we sure do don't we folks. And let's not forget the Radical Religious Extremists (Mormons, Catholics, Southern Baptist, etc)and their Integrity when it comes to Gay citizens and Civil Rights. It's all about that integrity. And for those silly "Anti-Christian" picked upon folks out there, look back in history and admire Nero for his integrity in REAL anti-Christian behavior (not what goes for anti-Christian now which is what? name calling?). I bet you like that form of integrity don't you?

[Laun]

The blond is entitled to her opinion but the subject matter does not pertain to her. In the end it matters to those it truly pertains.

[Adam]

What's really disappointing is all the people on here who have resorted to calling her:
"shes a whore that parades around half naked on camera"

"She may sound dumb as a box of hair and three sheets to the wind..."

"Why does her boobs look so fake in that picture? Where did she get her fake tan from? Is she a real blonde, or a fake one? Does she wear fake nails?"

"She's just another Republican cunt."

This is pathetic people! I'm sick and tired of the lack of respect and decency for others.

Fine you don't like what she has to say, but when all you have to say about her are things that have NOTHING to do with her statement the SHUT THE HELL UP!

At least she had the guts to say what she believes KNOWING who asked the question and that the audience was very pro-gay.

She has her convictions and holds true to them despite how it might adversely affect her. I have to admire that even if I don't agree with it.

WAY TO GO CARRIE!!!

[Tim]

The real sad part here is that she may be an idol to some girls out there... and her comments create an atmosphere of bigotry and encourage her following of future female youth to advocate intolerance, adhere to distorted, poisonous "morals" and "traditional values" of prejudice, fear and hate.

[theself07]

Is Perez Hilton planning to marry anytime soon? If not, then why ask this question? Let someone else who really wants a civil matrimony with their same sex partner do the questioning on gay marriage issues. I don't Perez Hilton seems like the kind of guy who'd be able to keep his arm locked with his marriage partner for a second without turning into some queer fest drama.

[matt]

she has the same right to express her opinion as those of us who disagree with her have to express ours. democracy is beautiful that way.

As they say, opinions are like ass holes...

[Pinoy32]

Omg, thank god she didn't win! Wow she dumb bitch representing California, and she didnt even answer the question, I mean you want to please the judges and so she should have answered the question in a neutral way , instead of her own personal opinions about gay marriage, so she didnt even answer the question. She goes to Christian college in San Diego , wow a blonde, brain-washed Bitch! Only if she has a half-brain, maybe next time when u realize you representing the whole state of California, you watch what you say 'coz the Gay community will speak out their minds about what you said.

[the_real_sweedie]

Adam

First of all, we're gay, we judge people by their looks (a joke of course). Second, when people say that she is a "whore that parades around half naked on camera" they say it because of the hypocrisy of her believes. She believes that it's a sin for gay people to marry, but then she turns around and show her almost completely naked body for all of America. True hypocrisy.

Yes, some comments are unnecessary, like calling her a cunt for instance, but some comments are very appropriate if one thinks longer than the tip of ones nose.

[Hammer H.]

She had every right to give your opinion and I applaud her for doing so. The big question really should be how did this freak known as Perez Hilton get to the position he is in? I really wish his 15 minutes would end. He is a disgusting, low life individual. I can not believe he was chosen as a judge.

[fb9120]

I do not think that her opinion cost her the crown. I personally dont care that the pagent is still being aired. I do think, however, all of the contestants should be asked the same series of questions. They are compaired in all of the other fields, but not on the Q and A. That I dont understand. I am glad that she didnt back down to that very hot topic and spoke her mind. I think that speaks volumes about her and her integrity. We as a society, do not have to agree with her. My generation, the younger generation, has it much easier then the previous generations did and in a few years, we wont even be talking about this. Being gay in todays world is alot more socially accepted then it was 10-20 years ago. I am amazed when I listen to my friends talk about what they went through and am glad that I do not have to go through the same thing. Why is everyone so concerned about marraige anyway aside from the civil aspect of being with your loved one if they fall ill in a hospital. Everyone is entitled to draw out a will. That will take care of your partner. Marraige, in my opinion, is a useless lable that carries little value. My parents were married and have been divorced for many years. I do not need the same. I would like to have the same civil rights as the straight "married" people, but I will never look down upon someone for their beliefs or values. That would make me less of a person. You call her narrow minded, I call you narrow minded. You cant see past the fact that she doesnt support it. That is how she was raised. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[dbrel]

You know, I have a friend who was in this pageant representing another state. She is bright, witty, intelligent, and gorgeous, and I would no more want to hear her called some of these names than to hear Carrie called them for maintaining her OWN beliefs , whether we all agree with them or not. Isn't that what we all want -- the right to have our own beliefs without others dictating them? Why are you stooping to the low level of calling this girl completely offensive names? She did what I wish everyone would do -- answered truthfully and without fear. I think she should have won just for having the guts to do that. You go Carrie.

[AllsFairInLove]

I may not agree with her opinion but I think she handled that with taste and class, unfortunately the audience didn't think so. She has the right to feel and voice her views on this issue.

[btdtgtt]

I have no issue with Miss California being honest on her opinion of gay marriage. I question though why the pageant would have Perez Hilton as a judge.

[Jay]

The Bible is GREAT literature, but it was NOT created with the intent of governing a nation. Moving on now.

Miss California, Miss USA are not suppose to alienate, but unite!

Thank you Miss California for reminding all of us that ignorance, is alive & well, in America.

[Peter]

I think she answered in the most fair/balanced way possible. She showed support by appreciating the changing laws, but answered the question by giving her opinion. As a gay man, I would have left it as with my opinion that marriage, as it is defined, is not a human right. Love is--by nature, and wanting a paper binding your love is silly. She got less boo's than I would have--Give her props.

[Shokukun]

Let her say what she wants to say. Let her believe what she wants to believe.

That's what equal rights are all about.

[T.P.]

I give much respect for her values and standing up for them. God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve or Madam and Eve. What's with the stupid question? This was a Miss America pageant, not the Gay or Tranny Pageant. That Perez loser thought the girl was gonna give a phony answer to please his gay agenda. Not. Miss California is a true winner and wow she is hot.

[b heimel]

I applaud her for her stand. She probably knew that her moral ideals
would cause come backlash. We need
more people that would stand up for what is right morally whether it is
"POLITICALLY" correct or not. Godly
morals are being attacked in our nation
that was founded on Godly principles.
I am sure that God is saddened by the
stand our nation has taken on many
issues. I PRAY FOR OUR NATION!

[TJ]

At the end of the day, does anyone really care what she has to say? Who even watches this?

[NF65]

Perez Hilton is a total asshole for calling her a "stupid bitch" the next day on his website, he should never be allowed to be a judge for any function in the future.

[Ysaac]

It's worth noting that Miss California said nothing about her opinion as having come from her religious beliefs. It's easier, I guess, to ignore an opinion contrary to one's own when one denies the rational capacity of one's opponent. If you make an assumption like that, you kill dialogue. Without dialogue, there is no compromise; without compromise, there is gridlock. In the end, no one is happy.

[G]

really it's not some beauty queen's opinion that is important

what is important is the opinions of the people who can change laws.

There will be forever people against gay marriage and for it. It's just the way it is.

[KC]

The real question is, who in the hell allowed Perez Hilton to judge this pageant? This is the same guy who constantly trashes and harasses beautiful women in Hollywood who don't kiss his ass, as well calling 15 year old girls "sluts." The man obviously has no respect for women, unless it's Madonna or Lady Gaga, whom, in his eyes, can do no wrong. He put this young woman on the spot with his obvious pro-gray agenda, and now he's trashing her because she didn't tell him what he wanted to hear. Had she said she was for gay marriages, the conservatives would have been after her, saying she's a bad role model, etc. It was a "no right or wrong answer" type of question, but unfortunately, Perez and his ilk don't understand that, and now she's catching hell for it.

[Tim]

By the way, to all of you who say "the audience didn't agree with her" and "booed her".. I guess you missed the part where there was a huge roar of applause when she spewed out that she believes marriage should be between "a man and a woman."

The positive response was chilling.

[kc]

pro-gray agenda=pro-gay agenda...sorry, typo.