Perez Hilton, Miss California, and the Feud That's Spreading Across the Internet

I am a firm believer in everyone getting their own opinion. When people disagree with me on my political beliefs, I deal with it. When people make fun of the Steelers (my major obsession in life), I turn it into a game. The point is, I get to believe one thing and you can believe another, but there is a celebrity blogger who thinks a person who doesn't agree with him is “a bitch.”

One of the components of a beauty pageant is the question and answer session. I suppose this is put in to prove that beauty goes beneath the surface of the skin or whatever. Miss California, Carrie Prejean, was asked a question by Perez Hilton, a judge who is openly gay. He asks her about gay marriage and if she thinks it should be legal or not.

She answers, “Well, I think its great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, 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 and that’s how I think it should be between a man and a woman. Thank you very much.”

Perez calls this “the worst answer in pageant history,” and adds that she’s “a bitch.” He apologizes for calling her a bitch, but after the apology Perez vents on his blog that he is just super upset by it. He then wants to talk to her over coffee. However, hours later, Perez retracts the apology and adds that he said “bitch,” but was thinking the C-word.

He wrote, “There is no right answer, but there could have been a much better answer! You can't alienate your audience, especially if you're competing for the title of MISS USA! You need to represent the people, not just YOUR beliefs.”

Represent the people? Perez, there’s a reason why only four states have made gay marriage legal. There’s also something to note: Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California, passed. Maybe it’s not your belief, but it’s at least some of the peoples’ belief.

Keith Lewis voiced his opinion on Hilton’s blog. “As co-executive director of Miss CA USA and one of the leaders of the Miss CA family, I am personally saddened and hurt that Miss CA USA 2009 believes marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman.”

Here’s the real question: Why ask the question if you are only expecting one answer? What is she supposed to do, lie? It’s not how she was raised! It really bothers me that girls lose pageants for speaking their minds. Isn’t that we were taught to do in school? If Perez Hilton is so biased, he shouldn’t be a judge. It’s as simple as that.

Whether or not I agree with Carrie, it’s the principle of the thing: she gets her opinion. I congratulate her for standing by her opinion, even if that means she loses the crown. If it helps, I would have done the same thing.