The Miss USA pageant should be grateful for Miss California’s complete lack of acceptance, tolerance and/or political-correct-ness.  It has given the show more attention than it has garnered in years.  Seriously, when was the last time you made note of any beauty pageant, except on an lazy evening where you’re channel surfing and stumble upon it. Very few people plan to watch the pageants, and those who do mostly tune in for the opportunity to mock the fake smiles, orange tans and canned responses to bland questions. 

As you’ve no doubt read, this year was different.

When asked to share her thoughts on gay marriage, and whether or not states should follow Vermont in legalizing it, Miss California had this to say:

“I think it’s great Americans are able to choose one or the other.  We live in a land that 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 there, but that’s how I was raised and that’s how I think it should be, between a man and a woman.”

Granted, this question was asked by Perez Hilton, well-known blogger, as well as a gay man and advocate, so there is some added pressure.  However, it is clear Miss California fell far short of an answer that a beauty pageant participant would have been coached to answer.  And I guess we should respect her for giving her honest answer, and foregoing the scripted, rehearsed answer.

Unfortunately, her answer also showed how little progress has been made regarding GLBT rights.  While our country encourages personal beliefs, it is important to note that they are exactly that – personal.  The basis of our country’s foundation was that the tired, poor, hungry and sick could come here and make a life for themselves without the threat of persecution.  So while Miss California may personally believe, based on her religion, that gay marriage is wrong, it also calls into question her ability to represent our nation as Miss USA.  After all, isn’t this title meant to demonstrate that the woman wearing the crown is the best possible representative for our nation as a whole?

Miss California seems to think that her answer was in defense of her faith, and represents her personal values.  But refusing the right of marriage to GLBT community members makes them second-class citizens.  Part of Christianity is love, acceptance and kindness.  As a Christian myself, I can’t imagine Jesus Christ walking the Earth today and preaching the love of God and eternal life to all……except gays.

While Miss California may think she is on some kind of crusade by defending her answer, I am disappointed to see a woman with a tremendous opportunity to serve as an advocate for acceptance using the stage to further the outdated beliefs.

And on a side-note, prefacing your answer with “no offense” does not mean you are exempt for the consequences of your statements.

*This post will no doubt be followed with a lot of comments calling me a dike or fag-lover.  While I’m not gay personally, I do consider myself an advocate for their rights.  The mistreatment of any citizen of our great country should outrage us all.

**I love Perez Hilton, and am proud that he works so hard to protect the rights of others.