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Miss California - Intolerance at the Miss USA Pageant

Miss California Carrie Prejean Victim of Intolerance at Miss USA Pageant

Kathryn E. Darden
Kathryn E. Darden, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Apr 22, 2009 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
Miss California, Carrie Prejean, was ridiculed following the Miss USA Pageant for answering a politically-charged opinion question by giving her honest opinion. The blond beauty was not only mocked and insulted for her reply after the show by homosexual activist judge Perez Hilton as well as assorted talk show hosts, but she may have been discriminated against to the point of losing the crown for her honesty.

Carrie Prejean Bushwhacked by Perez Hilton

Judge Perez Hilton bushwhacked Miss California with a question about homosexual marriage, asking Carrie Prejean if she thought all 50 states should legalize same-sex marriage. I say "bushwhacked" because Miss California is obviously from California where Proposition 8 was passed in the November 4, 2008, general election, changing the state Constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to opposite-sex couples. (1) Miss California replied diplomatically and politely that while she didn't want to offend anyone, her personal belief was that marriage was between a man and a woman." "I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody there, but that's how I was raised and that's how I think it should be, between a man and a woman."

One would think the judges would accept an honest answer to a "What is your opinion" question, whether they agreed with the opinion or not. Instead Perez Hilton (who reportedly gave Miss California a score of zero), later called Carrie Prejean the b-word in a fit of intolerance on his video blog and said it was the "worst answer in pageant history."

Donald Trump Defends Carrie Prejean

Donald Trump, the owner of the Miss Universe franchise, disagreed with Perez Hilton's assertion that it was the worst answer in the history of the Miss USA pageant saying, "Miss California has done a wonderful job, that was her belief ... It wasn't a bad answer, that was simply her belief." Trump added that Prejean's question was "a bit unlucky," stating that no matter how she answered the question, "she was going to get killed." (2)

Carrie Prejean on "Today Show"

On Tuesday morning's "Today" show host Matt Lauer asked Carrie if she would change her answer if given a "do-over." Miss California, who came in first runner up in the Miss USA pageant, said no.

"I did not want to offend anybody, but I think with that question specifically, it's not about being politically correct, for me it was being biblically correct," she responded.

Former Miss Delaware on Carrie Prejean

Former Miss Delaware, Day Gardner, president of The National Black Pro-Life Union sent out a statement supporting Carrie Prejean saying in part, "The Miss USA Pageant contestant was unfairly discriminated against and denied the Miss USA crown because of homosexual activist judge Perez Hilton who had a problem with her statement regarding marriage."

It is too bad that the Miss USA Pageant has been politicized to the point a contestant can be asked a volatile, controversial political-opinion question and than be penalized because the judge or judges don't like her point of view.

Carrie Prejean at 40th Dove Awards

Carrie Prejean appeared at the 40th Dove Awards, on Thursday night, April 23 at 8:00 P.M. EST. The Dove Awards are Christian and gospel music's biggest night to honor its best and share inspirational music with a worldwide audience.

Carrie Prejean Nude Photos Scandal

Carrie Prejean recently came under fire in May 2009, for racy photos taken when she was a teen model. Details including a statement by Carrie Prejean at Miss California Carrie Prejean Nude Photos Scandal Hits the Web.

Carrie Prejean Fired as Miss California

Carrie Prejean was fired as Miss California on June 10, 2009. Details at: Carrie Prejean Loses Crown
Sources
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_8_(2008)
2. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517599,00.html
3. Miss California Carrie Prejean Nude Photos Scandal Hits the Web
4. Miss California 2009 - Carrie Prejean
5. Fired! Carrie Prejean Loses Crown

Related:
Former Miss California Carrie Prejean settles with Miss USA Pageant - Carrie Prejean sex tape
Former Miss California Carrie Prejean goes to court: Miss California lawsuits and counter suits
Former Miss California Carrie Prejean: beauty contestant, Dove Awards presenter, and book author
Heidi Klum Poses Nude but Wants Heidi Klum Barbie in Underwear

Published by Kathryn E. Darden

An author, poet, publisher, publicist & skincare consultant, I have written for publications including CCM Magazine, The Tennessean, Barbie Bazaar Magazine, Christian Activities & several local newspapers....  View profile

  • Miss California, Carrie Prejean, ridiculed and insulted following the Miss USA Pageant
  • Carrie Prejean a vicitm of intolerance at the hands of Perez Hilton
  • Donald Trump says no matter how Miss California answered the question "she was going to get killed."
Kathryn E. Darden is an author, journalist, and photographer who writes articles, reviews, devotionals and poems, some of which are available for reprint. To read more content from this writer, please click on her name at the top of this article.

7 Comments

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  • Bruce West11/12/2009

    Aftering seeing Perez Hilton how in the hell did he even qualify to be ajudge. ?If you can't handle someones opinnion don't ask the question. Yea for Carrie she stood her ground and I think its great. The gay crowd wants everyone to agree with them, Guess what a small number do but a huge number of people don;t so toughen up or shut up.

  • Pameline Wallace5/12/2009

    Since Perez is gay you would think that he would know how it feels to be the subject of intolerance and ridicule. When you ask for an opinion you should be able to accept the answer with grace or don't ask. The best way to effect change and tolerance is to be tolerant. We are a world of diversity and must learn to live together and tolerate others. The best way to alienate and separate is to ridicule. We can be apart of the solution or apart of the problem.

  • Johnny Yuma4/28/2009

    I didn't watch the show only happened to catch that particular part of it and wished I hadn't even turned it on at all after seeing it. Just who does he think he is anyway. He must be a queer himself to treat her that way. He did ask her opinion didn't he? Then when she gave it treated her as if she had gave the worst answer in the world and Miss North Carolina ended up with the crown because of that one answer I gathered. It almost made me sick, and I am quite sure that I will never watch it again. The Donald as I think he likes to be called; although, I'm not sure exacltly why when there are lots of other Donalds in the world that I think a lot more of than I do him I understood to say that her answer cost her the title. I also think that (man) Hilton should never get to be a judge on the show again. What about you? If he isn't I might consider watching it again. Johnny Yuma

  • SavinMaven4/27/2009

    I think there's a bit more to this. Pageants experienced a major decrease in popularity until recent bouts of controversy. Trump is an experienced businessman. Perez Hilton was there to attract viewers and create a stir as he is known to do in some form or another. Miss California's answer didn't exhibit the poise or eloquence I expect from a winner. (opposite marriage??) She should have been rated on that rather than her views. From the bit I saw, she didn't deserve to win compared to the other finalist. Perez Hilton didn't uphold the integrity of being a judge and it diminishes the accomplishments of the woman who won.

  • Sandra Essary4/26/2009

    Regardless of whether or not he agreed with her, he should not have given her a zero based on her opinion.

  • Barbara Raskauskas4/25/2009

    It's a shame that this contest has reached a point where being honest and speaking one's beliefs is judged in poor taste, particularly when a large population agrees with those beliefs.

  • Sheryl Young4/24/2009

    Good for her. I think Mr. Hilton is showing which side the real "hate" and intolerance is coming from.

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