Miss USA 2009 same-sex marriage controversy

Last updated

The Miss USA 2009 controversy centered on Miss California USA 2009 Carrie Prejean's answer to a question regarding same-sex marriage. On April 19, 2009, during the ceremony of Miss USA 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the five finalists were all asked about political issues such as how to fight domestic violence, whether to use taxpayer money to bail out corporations, whether to give immigrants access to health care, and whether or not the United States should donate money to the government of Afghanistan to fund its elections. Kenya Moore, Miss USA 1993, has stated that the questions were "far too political and it's divisive as well". [1]

Contents

Background

At the time of the pageant same-sex marriage was legal in two US states. In California the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in the In re Marriage Cases ruling; voters subsequently passed Proposition 8 which made it illegal. The topic was a focus of controversy in American politics at the time of the pageant. [2]

The question

During the Q&A portion of the contest, pageant judge Perez Hilton's question came to Prejean. Hilton asked:

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

Prejean responded:

Well I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one way or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. You know what, in my country, in my family, I think I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there. But that's how I was raised and I believe that it should be between a man and a woman.

Impact on the competition

After the pageant, Perez Hilton published derogatory comments about Prejean on his blog, and told ABC News "She lost [the crown] because of that question. She was definitely the front-runner before that," [3] leading many to question Hilton's ethics and believe that her answer was counted heavily enough against her to make her lose the competition. [4]

Responses

Responses within the pageant organization

Hilton stated on April 20 that the pageant director, Keith Lewis, sent him a statement reading: "I am personally saddened and hurt that Miss CA USA 2009 believes marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman. Religious beliefs have no place in politics in the Miss CA family." [5] This was denied by Lewis, who said he did not release such a statement. Lewis also said, "I support Carrie's right to express her personal beliefs even if they do not coincide with my own. I believe the subject of gay marriage deserves a great deal more conversation in order to heal the divide it has created." [6]

Donald Trump, who owned most of the Miss Universe Organization at the time, defended Prejean's answer, saying that "Miss California has done a wonderful job" and that "It wasn't a bad answer, that was simply her belief." He then added that the question was "a bit unlucky" and that no matter which way she answered the question "she was going to get killed." [7] He later stated: "It's the same answer that the president of the United States gave. She gave an honorable answer. She gave an answer from her heart." [8] Miss Malibu Tami Farrell, who serves as the runner-up for Miss California, has said that "there is a lot of controversy right now. I commend her actually for taking a stance in something she believes in." [9]

Former Miss USA Shanna Moakler defended Prejean's right to her opinion and also wrote that Miss USA is "an ambassador, a role model and needs to be able to show diplomacy on all issues". She stated that Prejean lost not because of her beliefs but because she "wasn't able to convey compassion for all the people that as Miss USA she would be representing." [10]

Other responses

On conservative blogs and radio talk shows such as Michael Medved, Hilton was highlighted for what they viewed as an inappropriate expression of intolerance. Columnist Michelle Malkin commented that the "Celebrity leech/trash blogger" used the media to humiliate a beauty pageant contestant. She also compared Prejean's statement to a statement Barack Obama made against same-sex marriage. Malkin concluded, "The Miss USA pageant should be ashamed for providing Perez Hilton a platform for his intolerant bigotry and abuse of Carrie Prejean." [11] Ann Coulter, wrote that "the Miss USA contest held a press conference to announce that Prejean had breast implants. Take a Christian position in public and Satan's handmaidens will turn all your secrets into front-page news." Regarding the release of "genuine 'semi-nude' photos," Coulter commented that "Liberals believe abortion is a sacrament, but smoking, wearing short skirts and modeling lingerie are mortal sins. (And if wearing women's underwear is a basis for being disqualified from the pageant, that's the end of Perez Hilton's judging career.)" [12]

Liberal columnist Matt Littman wrote in The Huffington Post that Prejean's beliefs are the same as President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He criticized the negative response to Prejean, stating that "Miss California will end up walking away from this with her head held high. Will the people who picked on her be able to say the same?" [13] Gavin Newsom, mayor of San Francisco, defended Prejean's statement even though he disagrees with her position: "I want to challenge her on her point of view, but she spoke her conscience; I think she's being a little unfairly maligned". [14]

On April 24, Fox News correspondent Bret Baier pointed out on the program, Special Report with Bret Baier , that Prejean's statements were very similar to President Barack Obama's previous statements regarding gay marriage, replaying a speech in which Obama said marriage should only be "between a man and a woman". [15] Television personality Elisabeth Hasselbeck defended Prejean, saying that if the beauty queen was pro-gay marriage she would not be the source of relentless rumors and media coverage. [13]

After the controversy, MSNBC commentator David Shuster remarked that, in his opinion, the type of people who participate in beauty pageants don't have anything to say worth listening to. [16]

And on June 15, 2009, the Empowering Spirits Foundation, a national LGBT civil rights organization issued a press release asking for the LGBT community to "move forward and engage in respectful dialogue." A. Latham Staples, the foundation's executive director, was quoted as saying, "Demeaning Carrie Prejean or others by using terms such as bigot will not advance our cause of civil rights and social justice. The LGBT community must use this period of heightened attention on LGBT issues by engaging others in positive ways." Staples went on to wish Prejean "much success in her future endeavors." [17] [18]

Aftermath

Prejean said she believes that God used Hilton's question to test her character. On The Sean Hannity Show she stated:

By having to answer that question in front of a national audience, God was testing my character and faith. I'm glad I stayed true to myself. It was not about being politically correct; for me, it was about being biblically correct. I am so proud of myself and I have so many people that are so proud of me. And [winning] wasn't what God wanted for my life that night. I was true to myself and I know that I can go out and speak to young people about standing up for what you believe in and never compromising anything for anyone or anything, even if it's the crown of Miss USA. [19]

Hannity asked her about how she felt about Hilton's comments personally and Prejean replied: "I forgive him. I know that he's angry for whatever reason. I know there must be a bigger issue going on in his life. It just so happens that I'm used in this way. And I'm so happy; I'm so blessed. I'm happy to be here, and I'm -- I'm filled with joy. I really am." [20]

She has stated that "I was representing California. I was representing the majority of people in California." [1] On April 26, 2009, while speaking at Rock Church, where she is an active member, Prejean stated that Miss California USA officials had pressured her to apologize for her statement and "not talk" about her Christian faith. [1] A spokesperson for the Miss California Pageant denied these claims. [21]

Following the pageant, Prejean appeared in a television advertisement for the National Organization for Marriage's campaign against the legalization of same-sex marriage. [22] [23] The group had contacted her shortly after the ceremony. [24] On May 1, she stated on On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren that she did not have an opinion on civil unions for same-sex couples but that she supports rights of same-sex couples, such as hospital visitations, short of marriage. [24] She has also stated that she would be willing to meet with representatives from California's largest gay rights group "as long as it's not political." [1]

British MP Alan Duncan statement

On British news comedy panel show, Have I Got News For You, in Series 37: Episode 1, on the April 24 2009, the panelists were discussing the headline "I think same sex marriages are wrong says Miss California". During the discussion, openly gay British Conservative Party MP and Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, Alan Duncan commented, "If you read that Miss California has been murdered, you will know it was me, won't you?" [25] [26] [27] whilst also describing Miss California as a "silly bitch". The BBC and Ofcom received many complaints after the show. The minor Christian Party lodged a complaint with the Metropolitan Police, however no action was taken. Duncan later said, "Of course it was in jest ... It is a comedy show after all. I'm sure Miss Prejean's very beautiful and that if we were to meet we would love each other. I have no plans to kill her. I'll send her a box of chocolates - unpoisoned." [28]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Cheney</span> American politician (born 1969)

Mary Claire Cheney is the younger of the two daughters of Dick Cheney, the 46th vice president of the United States and 17th United States secretary of defense, and Lynne Cheney. She is involved with a number of political action committees. She married her wife, Heather Poe, in 2012, and was a signatory to an amicus curiae brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of same-sex marriage during the Hollingsworth v. Perry case in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shanna Moakler</span> American actress and model (born 1975)

Shanna Lynn Moakler is an American actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. She was the winner of the Miss New York USA pageant in 1995 and was the first runner-up at Miss USA 1995. After winner Chelsi Smith won the Miss Universe 1995 pageant, Moakler succeeded her as Miss USA. She was chosen as a Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in December 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shandi Finnessey</span> American model (born 1978)

Shandi Ren Finnessey is an American actress, model, TV host and beauty pageant titleholder. She is best known for winning the Miss USA title, as Miss Missouri USA. She previously held the title of Miss Missouri 2002 and competed in Miss America, where she won a preliminary award. She placed as first runner-up at the Miss Universe 2004 competition.

Miss California USA is the beauty pageant that selects the representative for the state of California in the Miss USA pageant, and the name of the title held by that winner. The pageant is directed by Crown Diva Productions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tami Farrell</span> American actress and beauty pageant titleholder

Tami Nichole Farrell is an American actress, TV host and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Oregon Teen USA 2003, Miss Teen USA 2003 and Miss California USA 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perez Hilton</span> American blogger (born 1978)

Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., known professionally as Perez Hilton, is an American blogger, columnist, and media personality. His blog is known for posts covering gossip items about celebrities, and for posting tabloid photos over which he has added his own captions or "doodles". His blog has garnered controversy for its attitude, its former practice of outing alleged closeted celebrities, and its role in the increasing coverage of celebrities in all forms of media.

Nicole Lamarche is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and a beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss California 2003. Competing in the Miss San Francisco Pageant in 2003, she won the title and went on to win Miss California 2003 and became the Fourth runner up to the title of Miss America 2004. She was the swimsuit winner and although she decided to wear high heels during this segment of the competition it was erroneously reported by an ESPN columnist that she competed barefoot. This is most likely due to pictures of her competing in the Miss California swimsuit segment not wearing high heels, as the contestants normally do. She earned over $26,000 in scholarships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss Teen USA 2003</span> 21st edition of the Miss Teen USA competition

Miss Teen USA 2003, the 21st Miss Teen USA pageant, was televised live from Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, California on 12 August 2003. At the conclusion of the final competition, Miss Oregon Teen USA Tami Farrell was crowned by outgoing queen Vanessa Semrow of Wisconsin.

"Beauty Pageant" is the third episode of the second season of the American comedy television series Parks and Recreation, and the ninth overall episode of the series. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on October 1, 2009. In the episode, Leslie serves as a judge in the Miss Pawnee beauty pageant and becomes determined to prevent an attractive, but talentless and unintelligent, contestant from winning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caitlin Upton</span> American model (born 1989)

Caitlin "Caite"Upton is an American actress, model, real estate agent, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2007 and represented South Carolina at Miss Teen USA 2007 where she placed third runner-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrie Prejean</span> American model and writer

Caroline Michelle Prejean Boller is an American model, former Miss California USA 2009, and Miss USA 2009 first runner-up. Prejean was stripped of her Miss California USA crown for alleged breaches of contract. Litigation between Prejean and the Miss California USA organization was settled in November 2009. Later that month, Prejean released a book relating events from her point of view.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss USA 2009</span> 58th Miss USA pageant

Miss USA 2009 was the 58th Miss USA pageant, held at the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2009. At the conclusion of the final night of competition, Kristen Dalton of North Carolina was crowned by outgoing titleholder Crystle Stewart of Texas.

Cassandra Jean Whitehead, also known as Cassandra Jean W. Amell, is an American actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. Jean attended Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.

Many views are held or have been expressed by religious organisation in relation to same-sex marriage. Arguments both in favor of and in opposition to same-sex marriage are often made on religious grounds and/or formulated in terms of religious doctrine. Although many of the world's religions are opposed to same-sex marriage, the number of religious denominations that are conducting same-sex marriages have been increasing since 2010. Religious views on same-sex marriage are closely related to religious views on homosexuality.

The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) is an American non-profit political organization established to work against the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States. It was formed in 2007 specifically to pass California Proposition 8, a state prohibition of same-sex marriage. The group has opposed civil union legislation and gay adoption, and has fought against allowing transgender individuals to use bathrooms that accord with their gender identity. Brian S. Brown has served as the group's president since 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in American Samoa</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people in American Samoa face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Same-sex sexual activity became legal in the territory in 1980, but same-sex couples may not marry. Same-sex couples married legally in other jurisdictions are recognized and must be treated equally under US federal law since 13 December 2022. American Samoa remains the only part of the United States along with select Native American tribal jurisdictions to enforce a ban on same-sex couples marrying.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NOH8 Campaign</span> LGBT charitable organization

The NOH8 Campaign is a charitable organization whose mission is to promote LGBTQ marriage, gender and human equality through education, advocacy, social media, and visual protest.

Irene Sofía Esser Quintero is a Venezuelan actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Venezuela 2011. Esser grew up in Río Caribe, Sucre, Venezuela. She represented Venezuela in Miss Universe 2012, finishing as 2nd Runner-Up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles LiMandri</span> American lawyer (born 1955)

Charles LiMandri is an American lawyer. In a case that made national headlines, he litigated against the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in the defense of the Mount Soledad Cross in San Diego. The battle over the religious symbol, which lasted more than 25 years, is one of the longest in the history on the United States. Limandri has a private law practice, and in 2002 he founded the Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund to pay for his pro bono work on behalf of religious freedom.

This is a timeline of LGBT Mormon history in the 2010s, part of a series of timelines consisting of events, publications, and speeches about LGBTQ+ individuals, topics around sexual orientation and gender minorities, and the community of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Carrie Prejean says she was asked to apologize for gay marriage comments, but refused". New York Daily News . April 27, 2009. Archived from the original on April 30, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
  2. ↑ "CNN Poll: Generational gap on gay marriage". CNN. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Gay marriage row at Miss USA show". BBC News. April 20, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Carrie Prejean Says Answer to Gay Marriage Question Cost Her Miss USA Crown". Fox News. April 20, 2009. Archived from the original on May 4, 2009. Retrieved May 5, 2009.
  5. ↑ Perez Hilton (2009-04-20). "Pageant Organizers Speak Out AGAINST Miss California!!!". PerezHilton.com. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  6. ↑ Michelle Malkin (2009-04-22). "Civility and Tolerance in the Age of Obama". TownHall.com . Retrieved 2009-04-22.
  7. ↑ "Exclusive: Donald Trump Breaks Silence on Miss California's Gay Marriage Comments". FoxNews.com. 2009-04-24. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  8. ↑ Franklin, Marcus (2009-05-12). "Trump says Miss California USA can retain crown". Associated Press. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  9. ↑ Miss California Topless Pic #2 Out, Pageant Runner Up Ready To Take Crown (PHOTO). The Huffington Post . Published May 7, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Shanna Moakler Defends Miss California, Derides Beliefs". April 22, 2009.
  11. ↑ Michelle Malkin (2009-04-20). "Gossip blogger/pageant judge calls contestant "dumb b*tch" over gay marriage question". michellemalkin.com . Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  12. ↑ Liberal Taliban Issues Fatwa Against Miss California by Ann Coulter
  13. 1 2 Stop Picking on Miss California. By Matt Littman. The Huffington Post . Published May 7, 2009. Accessed May 8, 2009.
  14. ↑ Newsom Defends Miss California. NBC News. Published April 23, 2009.
  15. ↑ "Political Grapevine" segment of Special Report with Bret Baier, Fox News, August 15, 2006 (Miss California Continues to Grab Headlines)
  16. ↑ Makes me want to vomit. RealClearPolitics.
  17. ↑ "ESF Statement to the LGBT Community in Defense of Carrie Prejean" (PDF). Empowering Spirits Foundation Press Release. 2009-06-15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
  18. ↑ "ESF Statement to the LGBT Community in Defense of Carrie Prejean". Wire Service. 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
  19. ↑ Goodwin, Christopher (April 25, 2009). "Right-wingers take beauty queen to their hearts over anti-gay marriage stance". London Guardian. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  20. ↑ "Did Opinion Cost Miss California the Crown?" (transcript). HANNITY. Lexis Nexis. April 21, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  21. ↑ Leff, Lisa. "Pageant PR rep accuses Miss California of lying" Archived 2009-05-01 at the Wayback Machine , The Sacramento Bee, 2009-04-27. Retrieved on 2009-05-06.
  22. ↑ Empowering Spirits Foundation - "Miss California Carrie Prejean in D.C. to 'Protect Marriage'"
  23. ↑ U.S. News & World Report - "Miss California, Carrie Prejean, Signs With Top Christian Publicity Firm" Archived 2009-05-02 at the Wayback Machine
  24. 1 2 Miss USA 1st Runner-up Carrie Prejean Goes 'On the Record' On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren . Published May 1, 2009.
  25. ↑ "Alan Duncan TV appearance causes US-UK spat". politics.co.uk. April 30, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-01.[ dead link ]
  26. ↑ James, Morrison (May 1, 2009). "Embassy Row: Miss California Threat". Washington Times. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
  27. ↑ Bell, Matthew (April 26, 2009). "Matthew Bell: The IoS diary". The Independent. London. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
  28. ↑ "Alan Duncan defends Miss California murder quip". The First Post . April 27, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2009.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.