I’m all for gay marriage and I love me some Perez Hilton, but I have to take exception with the “gossip gangstar”s’ vitriol during the whole Miss California gay marriage answer brouhaha.
During Sunday night’s Miss USA competition, the very “out” celebrity gossip blogger, a.k.a. Mario Lavandeira, asked finalist Miss California, Carrie Prejean, whether or not she felt other states should follow Vermont’s lead in legalizing same-sex marriage (the first state to do so through legislative action.)
“Do you think every state should follow suit,” he asked. “Why or why not?”
Miss California responded in part that she, in fact, did not believe in same-sex marriage, stating, “You know what, in my country, and 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.”
So it wasn’t the most graceful answer ever, and perhaps a bit too honest, too much personal opinion, for the scripted I-just-want-to-solve-world-hunger pageant circuit, but that’s what the gal believes. And Hilton did ask her “why” or “why not” leaving open room for discord. But what was he expecting? An in-depth pro vs. con discourse on state’s rights? (Apparently, yes. ) It is this less than diplomatic formulation of an answer that Hilton says cost Prejean the crown, telling CBS’ The Early Show that, “There are various other ways she could have answered that question and still stayed true to herself without alienating millions of people.”
The issue with me isn’t so much speculation that Miss Prejean lost because of the content of her answer — pageant judging is, after all, subjective — but that Hilton has taken into tearing this gal apart, calling her stupid and breaking out a number of unpleasant female-unfriendly pejorative terms to describe her. By using such terms, Hilton comes across as offensive and sexist and is less likely to persuade anybody of the righteousness of his position.
So she’s not enlightened about gay marriage; educate her instead of lambasting her. Intolerance is a poor argument for tolerance. Or simply dock her points so that she learns what kind of example the judges want Miss USA to set. But don’t set about using sexist language when you are trying to push a civil rights agenda.
Some outlets are calling Perez Hilton the winner (EntertainmentWeekly.com), but I’m going to give the crown to Miss California who managed to handle herself with class this morning when MSNBC’s Tamryn Hall asked her to respond to being called the “c” word by the blogger. Sure, she responded with the old “I’ll pray for him” chestnut, but at least she handled herself with pageant-perfect decorum.
posted April 22, 2009 at 12:08 am
Ms Cali just stated her position honestly based on how she was ‘raised’ and listening to the names that Perez called her well that speaks to how he was ‘raised.’ He’s made comments about how Ms Cali’s answers were unacceptable because Ms USA should be inclusive and represent America – umm hello…nothing about the pageant represents or has ever represented America. In these pageants I see 50 white girls (or at least 45) all tall and leggy, mostly blonde, size 2, with long legs and perfect smiles. That is not representative of America at all. The America I live in has women of all shapes, sizes and colors. Where are the short, dark, plump women in this competition? Because after all we want America represented. Where are the women with brown and black eyes, who don’t all look the same in a 2 piece bathing suit, who maybe have short stubby legs? Where are they? Because after all we want this pageant to be representative and all inclusive of Americans. Perez needs to get a clue. So does America for that matter. What is the point of these pageants anyway? Let’s take the top students in the top 50 schools around the country, 1 per state, and put them in the competition. That’s who I want representing me, somebody with some substance, who can put a sentence together, who can be a role model for my daughter. I’m not crazy about what she looks like in a bathing suit (in fact I thought they had taken that part of the competition out). Anyway, Ms. Cali is only about 21 years old right? She shouldn’t be penalized for her views today. She hasn’t even lived, in 10 years she may have a different answer, but even if she doesn’t it’s ‘her’ answer and that’s what you want when you ask someone a question, you want ‘their answer’ – and that’s all I have to say about that! – speaking of Ms USA,who won?
posted April 22, 2009 at 6:52 pm
PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE…Legalize Gay Marriage so these people can SHUT UP ALREADY. I’m a Christian and I believe in free will and so does God, so let these people get married so they can stop forcing it down everyones throat, who cares!! What they do is between them and their God, just like what I do is between me and mine. This controversy is getting really old! What is the big deal!!! Geez!
posted April 22, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Let’s face it the entertainment industry is a huge part of our existence here in the US. So, now we can’t even enjoy the Miss USA pageant without the gay agenda being shoved down our throats. The woman was asked HER opinion and then slammed when she gave an honest intelligent answer. What happened to freedom of speech Perez? Remember Freedom? Oh brother…this is getting ridiculous. I hope the gay community will embrace this young woman and respect her opinion and right to have her own beliefs. Yes you must fight for your rights but don’t abuse and punish those who do not agree with you, that would be so hypocritical, don’t you think? I also, hope to GOD the gay community is not going to let Perez Hilton speak for the whole community, that would be a huge mistake. I’m sure there can be found a more intelligent, classy, educated person than that! He just set back your movement 40 years…lol
posted April 23, 2009 at 12:09 am
Be supportive of Miss Cali. God bless her! She is brave enough to face this overwhelming pressure from homosexuals to destroy one of the few sacred values that are left in our western culture. She knew they would take away her title but still… she stood her grounds. She is more man than that cow face Perez Hilton. She is Miss America in my book. Peace
posted April 23, 2009 at 1:19 am
It’s unfortunate that Miss California’s PR people hadn’t fully prepared her for such a loaded question. I wonder if a response like this might have worked well: “Before I answer that question, I would like to say that you asked for my opinion, and I am well aware that some people may disagree with it. Therefore, I am so grateful that I live in the United States of America, where we have freedom of speech, and I can state my opinion without fear of repercussions. Regarding your question, I agree with President Obama. You may recall the interview where he stated that he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman. I also agree with former Vice President Dick Cheney. He stated that this is an issue which should be decided on the state level.” I wonder if that response might have quieted the outspoken Mr. Hilton. I also wonder if it would have made one iota of difference in how he voted. Question, however: DO we still have freedom of speech, or am I mistaken?
posted April 23, 2009 at 1:34 am
This whole thing has got me wondering if maybe beauty pageants are archaic and ought to be abolished. Instead of spending so much time preparing to impress judges by walking around in bikini’s and evening gowns, hoping they will be considered “most beautiful,” maybe they ought to spend their time developing their inner beauty and whatever talents they have [Susan Boyle comes to mind], which they can use to help make this world a better place. We could certainly use more people, both women and men, with inner beauty and integrity [Carrie Prejean comes to mind].
posted April 23, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Must disagree with you on gay marriage. There is no such thing, only civil unions. Here is the definition of civil unions.
A civil union is a legally recognized union similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples with rights, benefits, and responsibilities similar (in some countries, identical) to opposite-sex civil marriage. In some jurisdictions, such as Quebec, New Zealand, and Uruguay, civil unions are also open to opposite-sex couples.