by Buddy Netter

Created on: April 26, 2009   Last Updated: August 13, 2011

Was Miss California Wrong For Giving a Politically Incorrect Answer?

This is one of those articles I wish I had never written.  I keep trying to get Helium to remove all articles I've written in regard to homosexuality, as I have had a change of heart since I wrote them.  Therefore, I wish to add this disclaimer to what I have written below.  I stand with those who are for equal rights for all.

At the recently televised Miss USA Pageant, a finalist contestant, Carrie Prejean, gave her honest answer when asked by Pageant Judge Perez Hilton a question regarding gay marriage. The exchange went as follows:

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

CARRIE: I think it's great that 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 and my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anyone out there, but that's how I was raised and that's how I think it should be, between a man and a woman.

The look on Mr. Hilton's face was one of disappointment and outrage. If looks could kill, I am quite sure that Ms. Prejean would have been assassinated right there on the stage.

Some say that by giving an honest answer, Ms. Prejean forfeited the coveted crown to the pageant she worked so hard towards winning. Some say that Ms. Prejean would not have won even if her answer had pleased Mr. Hilton, as the winning contestant was ahead of her by many points in several categories. Much has been made about Ms. Prejean's stuttering and hesitation, not to mention that she was incorrect in saying you have a choice in same sex or "opposite" marriage, when in her own home state, as well as in most states, that right is still being fought for. It appeared to me that she was wrestling with herself as she answered, and had started to answer in an inoffensive, middle of the road manner, and then just blurted out what she really thought, knowing that it was not going to go over well. Whether or not Ms. Prejean would have won the contest had she answered differently, Mr. Hilton proudly credits himself for her loss.

What has since transpired, in my opinion, is reprehensible and totally out of line on the part of Mr. Hilton. In venting to the media his disgust and outrage over Ms. Prejean's answer to his question, he called her a

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