Miss USA 2009 controversy
Encyclopedia
The Miss USA 2009 controversy centered around Miss California USA
2009 Carrie Prejean
's answer to a question regarding same-sex marriage
. During the ceremony, the five finalists were all asked about political issues such as how to fight domestic violence, whether or not to use taxpayer money to bail out corporations, whether or not 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".
ruling; voters had subsequently passed Proposition 8
which made it illegal again. The topic was a focus of controversy in American politics at the time of the pageant.
's question came to Prejean. Hilton asked:
Prejean responded:
, and told ABC news "She lost [the crown] because of that question. She was definitely the front-runner before that.", leading many to question Hilton's ethics and believe that the answer directly had caused her to lose the competition.
Donald Trump
, who owns most of the Miss Universe Organization
, 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". 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." 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."
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".
, 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." 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," Ann 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.)"
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?" 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".
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". 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.
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.
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."
TV show she stated:
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."
She has stated that "I was representing California. I was representing the majority of people in California." On April 26, 2009, while speaking at The 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. A spokesperson for the Miss California Pageant denied these claims.
Following the pageant, Prejean appeared in a television advertisement
for the National Organization for Marriage
's campaign against the legalization of same-sex marriage
. The group had contacted her shortly after the ceremony. 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. 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."
, the panelists were discussing the headline "I think same sex marriages are wrong says Miss California". During the discussion, openly gay British MP
and shadow Leader of the Commons Alan Duncan
commented, "If you read that Miss California has been murdered, you will know it was me, won't you?" Other contestants on the show, such as comedians Katy Brand, Frank Skinner, and Paul Merton, criticized his statement. The BBC
and Ofcom
received many complaints after the show, including criticisms from The Christian Party. 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."
Miss California USA
Miss California USA is a pageant that selects the representative for the state of California in the Miss USA pageant.The current titleholder is Katie Blair. She succeeded Alyssa Campanella on June 25, 2011 after Campanella was crowned Miss USA 2011....
2009 Carrie Prejean
Carrie Prejean
Caroline Michelle "Carrie" Prejean Boller is an American model, author, former Miss California USA 2009 and Miss USA 2009 first runner-up. Prejean received national attention in 2009 when she told a pageant judge that marriage should be between a man and a woman; pageant judge and gossip blogger...
's answer to a question regarding same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
. During the ceremony, the five finalists were all asked about political issues such as how to fight domestic violence, whether or not to use taxpayer money to bail out corporations, whether or not 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
Kenya Moore
Kenya Summer Moore is an American film and television actress, producer, beauty queen, model and author.She is recognizable for her roles in movies such as Waiting to Exhale, Deliver Us from Eva and the 2007 Lindsay Lohan thriller I Know Who Killed Me...
, Miss USA 1993
Miss USA 1993
Miss USA 1993, the 42nd Miss USA pageant, was televised live from the Century II Convention Center in Wichita, Kansas on 19 February 1993.At the conclusion of the final competition, Kenya Moore of Michigan was crowned by outgoing titleholder Shannon Marketic of California...
, has stated that the questions were "far too political and it's divisive as well".
Background
At the time of the pageant same-sex marriage was legal in two US states and would likely be legal in another two within months. In California the Supreme Court had legalized same-sex marriage in the In re Marriage CasesIn re Marriage Cases
In re Marriage Cases 43 Cal.4th 757 [76 Cal.Rptr.3d 683, 183 P.3d 384], was a California Supreme Court case with the dual holding that "statutes that treat persons differently because of their sexual orientation should be subjected to strict scrutiny" and the existing "California legislative and...
ruling; voters had subsequently passed Proposition 8
California Proposition 8 (2008)
Proposition 8 was a ballot proposition and constitutional amendment passed in the November 2008 state elections...
which made it illegal again. The topic was a focus of controversy in American politics at the time of the pageant.
The question
During the Q&A portion of the contest, pageant judge Perez HiltonPerez Hilton
Mario Armando Lavandeira, Jr. , better known as Perez Hilton , is an American blogger and television personality. His blog, Perezhilton.com , is known for posts covering gossip items about celebrities...
'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 blogBlog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
, and told ABC news "She lost [the crown] because of that question. She was definitely the front-runner before that.", leading many to question Hilton's ethics and believe that the answer directly had caused her to lose the competition.
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." 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"Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump, Sr. is an American business magnate, television personality and author. He is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization and the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts. Trump's extravagant lifestyle, outspoken manner and role on the NBC reality show The Apprentice have...
, who owns most of the Miss Universe Organization
Miss Universe Organization
The Miss Universe Organization is the organization that currently owns and runs the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA beauty contests. Based in New York, it is owned jointly by NBC Universal and Donald Trump. The current president is Paula Shugart...
, 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". 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." 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."
Former Miss USA Shanna Moakler
Shanna Moakler
Shanna Lynn Moakler is an American model, actress, reality television star and a former beauty queen. She was the winner of the Miss New York USA pageant in 1995 and was originally the first runner-up at Miss USA 1995. She was later crowned Miss USA after Chelsi Smith won Miss Universe...
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".
Other responses
On conservative blogs and radio talk shows such as Michael MedvedMichael Medved
Michael Medved is an American radio host, author, political commentator and film critic. His Seattle, Washington-based nationally syndicated talk show, The Michael Medved Show, airs throughout the U.S...
, Hilton was highlighted for what they viewed as an inappropriate expression of intolerance. Columnist Michelle Malkin
Michelle Malkin
Michelle Malkin is an American conservative blogger, political commentator, and author. Her weekly syndicated column appears in a number of newspapers and websites. She is a Fox News Channel contributor and has been a guest on MSNBC, C-SPAN, and national radio programs...
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." Ann Coulter
Ann Coulter
Ann Hart Coulter is an American lawyer, conservative social and political commentator, author, and syndicated columnist. She frequently appears on television, radio, and as a speaker at public events and private events...
, wrote that "the Miss USA contest held a press conference to announce that Prejean had breast implants. Take a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
position in public and Satan's handmaidens will turn all your secrets into front-page news." Regarding the release of "genuine 'semi-nude' photos," Ann commented that "Liberals believe abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
is a sacrament
Sacrament
A sacrament is a sacred rite recognized as of particular importance and significance. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites.-General definitions and terms:...
, 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
Perez Hilton
Mario Armando Lavandeira, Jr. , better known as Perez Hilton , is an American blogger and television personality. His blog, Perezhilton.com , is known for posts covering gossip items about celebrities...
's judging career.)"
Liberal columnist Matt Littman wrote in The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
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?" Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom
Gavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician who is the 49th and current Lieutenant Governor of California. Previously, he was the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco, and was elected in 2003 to succeed Willie Brown, becoming San Francisco's youngest mayor in 100 years. Newsom was re-elected in 2007...
, 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".
On April 24, Fox News correspondent Bret Baier
Bret Baier
Bret Baier is an American journalist and the host of Special Report with Bret Baier on Fox News Channel. He previously worked as the network's Chief White House Correspondent and Pentagon correspondent.-Career:...
pointed out on the program, Special Report with Bret Baier, that Prejean's statements were very similar to President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's previous statements regarding gay marriage, replaying a speech in which Obama said marriage should only be "between a man and a woman". Television personality Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Elisabeth Hasselbeck is an American television talk show host and television personality. She was a contestant on Survivor: The Australian Outback and is a current co-host on the daytime talk show The View .-Early life:...
defended Prejean, saying that if the beauty queen was pro-gay marriage she would not be the source of relentless rumors and media coverage.
After the controversy, MSNBC commentator David Shuster
David Shuster
David Martin Shuster is an American television journalist who has been an anchor for MSNBC and who has also worked for Fox News and CNN. He anchored MSNBC Live weekdays from 10-11am and 3-4pm ET and filled in for Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, Ed Schultz and Rachel Maddow on their respective shows...
remarked that, in his opinion, the type of people who participate in beauty pageants don't have anything to say worth listening to.
And on June 15, 2009, the Empowering Spirits Foundation
Empowering Spirits Foundation
The Empowering Spirits Foundation , Inc. is a national non-profit, non-partisan lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization in the United States...
, a national LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
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."
Aftermath
Prejean said she believes that God used Hilton's question to test her character. On the Sean HannitySean Hannity
Sean Hannity is an American radio and television host, author, and conservative political commentator. He is the host of The Sean Hannity Show, a nationally syndicated talk radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks. Hannity also hosts a cable news show, Hannity,...
TV 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.
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."
She has stated that "I was representing California. I was representing the majority of people in California." On April 26, 2009, while speaking at The Rock Church
The Rock Church
The Rock Church is a protestant, evangelical megachurch located in San Diego, California, USA. Miles McPherson, a former NFL player, has served as senior pastor since he founded the church in 2000. With an average weekly attendance of nearly 12,000, the Rock is currently the 19th largest and the...
, 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. A spokesperson for the Miss California Pageant denied these claims.
Following the pageant, Prejean appeared in a television advertisement
Television advertisement
A television advertisement or television commercial, often just commercial, advert, ad, or ad-film – is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message, typically one intended to market a product...
for the National Organization for Marriage
National Organization for Marriage
The National Organization for Marriage is a nonprofit political association established in 2007 to work against legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States, specifically to pass California Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage in California...
's campaign against the legalization of same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
. The group had contacted her shortly after the ceremony. On May 1, she stated on On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren that she did not have an opinion on civil unions
Civil union in the United States
A civil union is a legally recognized union similar to marriage. Many people are critical of civil unions because they say they represent separate status unequal to marriage...
for same-sex couples but that she supports rights of same-sex couples, such as hospital visitations, short of marriage. 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."
British MP Alan Duncan statement
On the April 24, 2009, edition of British comedy programme Have I Got News For YouHave I Got News for You
Have I Got News for You is a British television panel show produced by Hat Trick Productions for the BBC. It is based loosely on the BBC Radio 4 show The News Quiz, and has been broadcast since 1990, currently the BBC's longest-ever running television panel show...
, the panelists were discussing the headline "I think same sex marriages are wrong says Miss California". During the discussion, openly gay British MP
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
and shadow Leader of the Commons Alan Duncan
Alan Duncan
Alan James Carter Duncan is a British Conservative Party politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton, and a Minister of State in the Department for International Development....
commented, "If you read that Miss California has been murdered, you will know it was me, won't you?" Other contestants on the show, such as comedians Katy Brand, Frank Skinner, and Paul Merton, criticized his statement. The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and Ofcom
Ofcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
received many complaints after the show, including criticisms from The Christian Party. 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."