Miss California Carrie Prejean: Gay Marriage Q Cost Her the Crown

by Tina Kells | April 20, 2009 at 12:03 pm

3026 views | 32 Recommendations | 39 comments

Carrie Prejean, Miss California, was the first Miss USA Pageant contestant ever to be booed on stage when she made a controversial statement against gay marriage during Sunday night's broadcast.

When asked how she felt about the recent passage of pro-gay marriage legislation in Vermont, Carrie Prejean took a stand and declared marriage to be something that should only exist between a man and a woman.

Miss California's undiplomatic response to a politically sensitive issue may have cost her the Miss USA title and crown, but Carrie Prejean's loss is Kristen Dalton's gain. The reigning Miss North Carolina went on to win the Miss USA 2009 pageant with Miss California as her second runner up.

At this weekend's Miss USA pageant, Queen of All Media, Perez Hilton, posed the following question to Miss California, Carrie Prejean, and the answer set a new standard in bad beauty pageant interview answers:

“Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?” Hilton asked.

And ..ladies and gentlemen... this is how Miss California responded:

"We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, I think 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."

Celebrity Gossip blogger Perez Hilton, who posed the gay marriage question to Carrie Prejean, was immediately and clearly outraged by her response. He later called it "the worst answer in pageant history" on his popular blog and wrote a scathing commentary on Miss California herself.

The fact that as Miss California, Prejean seemed unaware that due to Prop 8 gay marriage is not permitted in her home state, combined with the way she pointedly failed to answer the question in full has many Miss USA observers wondering how she even qualified for second place.

On his blog following the ceremony, Hilton called Prejean a “dumb bitch” and described her answer to his question “the worst answer in pageant history”.

It is unclear what land Miss California was speaking of when she said she lives in a place in which you can choose a same-sex marriage, because same-sex marriages are, at least for the time being, not an option in California. It is equally unclear exactly what an “opposite marriage” is. Even stranger is how Prejean became first runner-up when she didn’t answer the question presented to her.

For someone representing the state of California, in which the decision to overturn Prop 8 currently lies in the hands of the state Supreme Court, Prejean showed a shockingly poor grasp on the issue of same sex marriage.

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Yuliya Talmazan

at 12:16 on April 20th, 2009

That is why beauty pageants should include more intelligence-testing questions. Blond hair and lash extension ain't enough any more.

HIRAM THE INTERPRETER (not verified)

at 13:39 on April 23rd, 2009

THE QUESTION WAS GIVEN IN ORDER TO DETEREMINE WHERE HER INDIVIDUAL OPINION LYES ON THE SUBJECT OF SAME SEX MARRIAGE NOT TO TEST HER INTELLIGENCE. IF ANYONE WAS WRONG I THINK IT WAS THE PAGEANT ORGANIZERS.. IN FAILING TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION 3 FACTORS.

1. WHEN A QUESTION IS ASKED TO DETERMINE A PERSONS POLITICAL STANDING POINT ON A SUBJECT THE ONE ASKING THE QUESTION MUST STAND NEUTRAL TO AVOID A PREJUDICIAL OUTCOME SUCH AS THE ONE THAT OBVIOUSLY OCCURED.

2. SHE WAS ASKED FOR HER OPINION ON THE SUBJECT NOT A DIPLOMATIC RESPONSE TO GET THE CHEERS OF PRO-SAME SEX SUPPORTERS.

3. WHY WOULD THEY ASK A QUESTION CONCERNING SAME SEX MARRIAGE WHILE ONE OF THE JUDGES IS OBVIOUSLY HOMOSEXUAL AND WOULD TAKE HER RESPONSE PERSONAL,,,,I HATE POLITICS

Joe Hudson (not verified)

at 16:52 on April 20th, 2009

Miss Prejean is to be commended for answering the question honestly - especially given the risk she faced (and the price she ultimately paid) by giving an answer the entertainment industry wouldn't like. I am not crazy about beauty pagents, but I hope I will be as brave when that day comes for me.

Well done young lady.

Tina Kells

at 09:35 on April 21st, 2009

Regardless of how you feel about her answer I have to ask:

1) Do you feel she demonstrated any understanding of the issue, the laws and the current debate? (Prop 8 is a political hotbed in California, her home state, yet she thinks same sex marriage is permitted in the whole of the USA)

2) Do you think she answered the question about legalizing gay marriage as was asked of her? (she said she thinks marriage should be between a man and a woman but did not comment on whether she thinks it should be made legal nationwide - you can think same sex marriage is somehow wrong but still support the legal right to choose it)

3) Do you feel she expressed herself with the sort of eloquence or clarity a person in the spotlight should demonstrate?

My objections are not based on whether or not I share her opinion, which I do not, they are based on the fact that she answered the question put before her with only an opinion and with little to no understanding of the facts in the debate.

Gerald E Stickles (not verified)

at 18:00 on April 20th, 2009

Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I applaud Carrie for her answer to the gay-marriage question. I ask the Lord to rebuke Perez if he does not repent from his sinful ways. Gay marriage is against all Christian teachings, it is not homophobic, it is wrong, it is sinful, and I support Miss Prejean 100%.

Gerald E. Stickles

Tina Kells

at 09:38 on April 21st, 2009

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:12)

I'm pretty sure that the Bible is clear on how Christians should behave when judging the behavior of others.

Heather B. (not verified)

at 18:27 on April 20th, 2009

I am so proud of Carrie! She stands for what is right and for what she believes in. Isn't that what the US is all about?! Thank you Carrie for your bravery and nobility, you will no doubt be blessed for it.

R. Ramirez (not verified)

at 19:33 on April 20th, 2009

Bravo Carrie for being true to yourself and standing up for what is right. Will you please marry me?

Roy C

at 20:28 on April 20th, 2009

That question was asked because Hilton knew she was against gay marriage and she actually got a lot of cheers as well as boos.

Hilton is a real figlio di put*n*, if you ask me. Pardon my Italian.

Roy C

at 20:21 on April 20th, 2009

I would rather have a ding bat as a friend. This is exactly the kind of over-reaching that produces the backlash against the cause he is trying to further.

Roy C

at 20:30 on April 20th, 2009

Look, if we are trying to build bridges, we don't ask "inquisitional" questions, the kind that are damned if you agree or disagree.

Who let him ask that question?

Her answer was off because of the obvious tension and her mind trying to wiggle out of the controversial aspect of the question. How unfair!

He should have asked her about the pope's position on condoms. :)

blakeg (not verified)

at 05:22 on April 21st, 2009

Her answer was right on brother.

mirek (not verified)

at 22:44 on April 20th, 2009

Dump guys...... punish someone for honesty, thats what you doing here. Well done!!!!!

Carrie, you not just a Miss. You are the QUEEN!!!!!!!!

Tina Kells

at 10:59 on April 21st, 2009

A member asked me how I thought she could have responded that would not have been offensive to people who support same sex marriage and I'd like to share part of my response to that person with you as I think you are missing the point.

An honest answer did not cost her the crown; her lack of knowledge and a very badly worded answer is what made her lose. Opinion aside she showed a fundamental lack of understanding of the issue, which as a representative of California was simply unacceptable.

Part of being a beauty queen is being able to come across intelligently when speaking in public. She failed at this. She could have given an answer as follows to express her honest opinion without making herself look so bad:

"In California this has been a really controversial issue and I am sure my opinion will stir up some negative reactions but I was raised to believe that marriage should only happen between a man and a woman and I would not support making same sex marriage legal nation wide."

Honesty did not cost Miss California the crown; in fact her controversial answer arguably may have EARNED her a second place showing. The rules are clear, contestants must answer the question they are asked. She did not say anything coherent about legalizing same sex marriage and spoke only to her opinion of its morality.

She lost because she was ill informed about a key political issue in her home state, and in the nation as a whole, and because she was fully inarticulate in her response. She did not lose because a gay man asked her a question and she responded in an un-PC way.

Roy C

at 11:13 on April 21st, 2009

That is essentially what she was aiming at and is very close to what she said.

The fury and inappropriateness and lack of dignity in Hilton's reaction is not compatible with thinking that anything short of a capitulation to political correctness would have been OK with Hilton.

The real loser here is Perez Hilton.

Tina Kells

at 11:28 on April 21st, 2009

I absolutely agree that he did not help the other side of the debate with his response but I do not think she came anywhere near saying what I wrote:

She did not mention or allude to Prop 8 or the controversy in California in any way, shape or form
She used a made up terminology that doesn't even make sense "opposite marriage" to describe same sex marriage (wouldn't an opposite marriage be a divorce?)
She failed to say anything about legalization and only told people how her parents raised her, not a solid and owned opinion
She did not understand that in the US gay marriage is NOT legal in all but a very few states

There is a good way to deliver an unpopular answer and a bad one and she simply answered badly (as opposed to incorrectly or un-PC)

Paschen

at 22:51 on April 20th, 2009

The US modern form of the inquisition.

Bravo, I though it could not get any worth and Sorry to say I was wrong.

Blake G. (not verified)

at 05:17 on April 21st, 2009

What a display of faith Miss Prejean showed when she refused to trade her moral convictions for fame. What an inspiration she will be for so many. Matthew 10:32-33. God bless you Miss California

Ron B. (not verified)

at 09:58 on April 21st, 2009

I fully support miss Prejean, and many blessing be upon her for not backing down on her beliefs.

As for Perez, the weak run and hide inside their own foolishness.

Andrew420 (not verified)

at 11:10 on April 21st, 2009

Is supporting gay marriage the cool thing to do now?????

i am in no way against gays but the second someone says they dont agree with them getting married all hell breaks loose and gays have a field day picking on whoever said it.

Wat happened to having your own opinion?????

She was asked a question and she responded DEAL WITH IT

bettermakings (not verified)

at 11:59 on April 21st, 2009

"America is no longer a Christian nation." -Obama

this is a true statement. Christians are looked at as fanatics in most of America now. there is a strong prejudice against Christians, in fact, more than other religions. a group of veiled muslim women would be respected more than a group of catholic nuns, although any extremely religious people are looked down upon in America.

this has become an agnostic country, plain and simple.

Al Williams (not verified)

at 12:49 on April 21st, 2009

What a sad event I commend Miss Pejean for taking a stand on her beliefs. This woman in no way offended or insulted Mr. Hilton with he answer, she does not agree with his POINT OF VIEW. We have however seen Mr. Hilton character or lack their of by the way he has acted towards Miss Pejean. For some reason when society talks about same sex relations and the viewpoit is against the practice it is felt as an attack. WHY? I do not like dogs or spinach, or snakes, rats the list goes on and on. What is the difference? These are my preferences. There are people out there who do not like oral sex, again preference. In the end we will all have to stand before one individual GOD to answer for our owns anctions not anyones else. So it is His viewpoint that holds all the weight. He is ultimate truth.

Reasably Sane (not verified)

at 13:35 on April 21st, 2009

The homo croud try to justify their life style with any action whether private or public, so it's no suprise if anyone opposes this life style, that they (homosexuals) respond with vial comments ect. Miss Carrie Prejean should be commended for her stand on what's right! The human race requires in the natural order of appropriation 1 male & 1 female, yet the homo's insist that their choice of this life style is of the natural order. Bologna if you recall several years ago the aides infection was thought to be isolated to gay men, and by the way, it originally was caused by what is knowen as the green monkey virus. I guess they also believe it's natural to have sex with monkeys to! Any way each of us will cross over that great divide to be judged by our maker, the faces of those who have bought in to the perverse notion that homosexuality is normal will be suprised that our maker never intended this practice, nature and commen sense speak against it as well as Gods Holy Word, which I know they don't beleive in that either!!!

pamward

at 14:53 on April 21st, 2009

Perez Hilton got his face broken on national tv during the Miss USA beauty pageant. Banking on Miss California to promote his cause, he mistakenly thought the liberal-minded state contestant would profess her allegiance to gay marriage. She did not. Carrie Prejean, second-runner-up to the crown, told Perez that she believed marriage should be between a man and a woman. Now, I may not agree with homegirl's stance but I am appalled at Perez's attempt to stiffen freedom of speech by suggesting Miss Prejean give a neutral answer. Perez, sweetheart, if you wanted a Wonder bread answer, you shouldn't have asked such a toasty question. You put all your chips down, hoping the surfer chick would support your cause and instead, you got your blond tips zapped at the roots, fool! The boos heard in the lobby should be for the pencil leg freaks trying to trample our right to express ourselves. I may hate the KKK but they're free to parade on the street just like ya'll on Halloween. Next time you try to use a chick to promote your own cause at least do your homework and rally around someone’s who's down. Who's the dumb blond, now? But don't get it twisted, baby. I believe anybody should be able to do the marital mambo. But loud mouths shouldn't be able to duct tape the lips of contestants with the courage to stand up for their own beliefs! But listen, don't get your panties in a bunch. I'm sure Mr. Trump loved the drama, queen. Holla if you hear me! Pam Ward, author WANT SOME GET SOME and BAD GIRLS BURN SLOW.

Central Texas (not verified)

at 15:34 on April 21st, 2009

I believe the question is fundamentally unfair, because ANY ANSWER to it will offend someone. It is a trap. Miss California should have been more on the ball and recognized that she was being thrown an unfair question and ducked having to answer a no-win question.

The reality is that beauty pageant contestants should NEVER express personal opinions on ANYTHING, but should always provide happy statements about "world peace" or some such.

I personally would have voted against California prop 8 and am saddened that a majority of voters in the state voted for prop 8. There are too many rights that are tied to a legal "marriage" that make it discriminatory to disallow gays the same privileges that straight couples have when married. Gays should be allowed to marry and allowing them to marry does absolutely nothing to hurt the institution of marriage. I do acknowledge that not everyone shares my opinions, and I believe that people that disagree with me have the constitutional right to disagree with me, and I'm OK with that.

However, there are a number of people that don't get the fact that the determination of whether you provide or exclude rights to a subclass of citizens is not something that you should leave to the chance of a political election. Voters don't always make the best decisions.

I also believe Perez Hilton to be a bully and could not envision ever being friends with him.

Drew Bulman

at 17:06 on April 21st, 2009

Did this article get linked on a conservative website? I love this conversation you are all having, but it seems hardly any of you supporting Miss CA seems to be a member here at Now Public.

Similarly, the only people who stuck up for Nancy Grace in my opinion piece I wrote a while back where anonymous non-members as well. And even still, rather than responding to my position, they simply used the comment thread to voice hollow "KEEP IT UP NANCY!" comments. That stuff doesn't bother me in the least, but let's have a dialogue, people.

I love all of you guys, but please...

QueensHart

at 18:54 on April 21st, 2009

We do not punish people for their opinions. Healthy people don't . Talk about displaced, anger here it is!

As a crowned Queen myself I say to most of you here this is soo hateful and unkind so much that I am shocked that you want to blather on about how awful and dumb she is?! How many watch beauty contests these days anyway since feminism says it denigrates us? This is about beauty not politics. The one question is just light and not one to discuss heavy issues or to expect them to get really into it. Did you notice the fluff questions the others asked?

A gay man asking this question is circumspect to begin with. He already was sneering as he anxiously looked forward to keeping the crown from her! He took the crown from himself and may have ruined his reputation as being an honorable , non prejudice judge. She does not have to represent everyone's opinions ..that is impossible.

She DID NOT denounce gay marriage, His business thrives on free speech but he can't allow her? He is the real loser in spirit ..he is a vengeful human being who will never get another token job in a contest except perhaps for drag queens. Anyone who thinks a woman who comes from a male and female home should already be educated by the paparozzi for the gays is ludicrous. She was articulate, honest and still very graceful in the few sentences she was allowed time to answer.

I ask ya if that was your daughter would you not be proud of her? Why do people so resent and hate beautiful women? I am sorry but above all someone here with long blonde hair to dis a blonde and call her dumb is disappointing. One brief opinion does not tell you her intelligence. Did any of you have strong beliefs about controversial issues when you were that age? We had maybe just finished 101 courses and been interested in dating, looking good and our craft we want to work in , if we went to college.

Even Barack Obama does not approve of gay marriages. Today ladies and gentlemen I too would still say I believe in toleration of all kinds of different beliefs and lifestyles but I too still say you will never trump the ideal model of nature....male and female .

Trickery and revenge has it's price.

Thomas Sowell:

The impossible is not going to be achieved.

It is a waste of precious resources to try to achieve it.

The devastating costs and social dangers which go with these attempts to achieve the impossible should be taken into account

QueensHart

at 18:36 on April 21st, 2009

Kristen Dalton and Carrie Prejean

Jay Pierce (not verified)

at 18:42 on April 21st, 2009

Just one more example of how the entertainment industry tries to force their views down the throats of Americans. They wanted Carrie Prejean out because she believes in the "radical" idea that marriage is between a man and a woman. Hollywood give the Oscar to "Milk" and Sean Penn awards because he and the movie plays to the gay/liberal agenda. Most people already knew "Milk" would get the Oscar as soon as they heard about the movie. Most people also suspected that the "Wrestler" would be snubbed as soon as Mickey Rourke said "not every thing is Bush's fault " The Liberal dominated entertainment industry is not fair but at least they are predictable.

FreeRepublic (not verified)

at 18:49 on April 21st, 2009

Normal 0

Carrie Prejean, Miss California had every right to respond the to Perez Hilton's question without being battered by those who want to "GET IN YOUR FACE" and flaunt their own sexual orientation. If we who really want sexual freedom can’t take the truth when someone expresses it then don’t ask the question. Hilton went way over when he called Miss CA a B_ _ _ _! and owes her a real apology. The audience booing was also very childish another example of the far left’s inability to handle real freedom. I hate this for the Miss USA pagent and for all who cherish freedom of speech. Before you speak up think and GROW UP!