Miss California
Let's ignore the fact that this is my first post in awhile and also that this post is about old news but...
I've known about this Miss USA thing for awhile and I've always had a strong opinion about it, I just was never able to express it until now.
For those of you who missed it, the California nominee for Miss USA made a controversial statement about gay marriage at the Miss USA contest.
Question: Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit, why or why not?
Answer: Well I think its great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. Uhm, we live in a country that you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage and, you know what, in my country and-and in my family, I believe that that 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.
Okay. Here's just my opinion on this:
Miss California didn't lose the crown because she didn't believe in gay marriage. Miss California lost the crown because of the way she handled the question.
Putting my own beliefs aside, let's just first address how contradictory and stupid her reply was.
First of all, the question clearly says that only four states allow gay marriage. Four. Yet in Miss California's answer, the first thing she says, "I think its great that we can choose...".
People can't choose, Miss California. Not unless they live in those four states.
Also, thank you for making up new terms. Opposite-marriage? Never heard that one before.
Then she goes on to say "in my country [...] we believe marriage should be between a man and a woman".
Really, Miss California? In your country? Really? Cuz, you know, last I checked... you were from the US. That's, uh, kind of why you're running for Miss USA. But apparently, you live in a country that is separate from the USA.
Unless you meant that you did live in the USA and just decided to call it your country like we're all foreigners or something... But if that is what you meant, didn't you just say how GREAT it was that we could choose (which we legally can't in 46 states)?
Look. I'm all for stating opinions, no matter what they are. I know someone who's a neo-Nazi, for crying out loud. But seriously. There is a time and place. When you're standing in front of a TV camera and a large audience, alienating a specific group of people (in this case, homosexuals) really isn't the smartest choice (especially when half that audience is probably women and gays).
Couldn't you have stuck with the first half of your answer, even though it was filled with made-up terms and misinformation? At least that's half-and-half.
You're Miss USA. We don't need your opinions--you're not a politician. We just need to know if you'll stand by all of us.
I mean, you'd think it was DIFFICULT or something. Miss USA contestants have dealt with harder questions... illegal immigration, the War in Iraq, terrorism... is it that hard to answer a question where you basically say, "This is a hot topic our politicians are dealing with and I think its great we live in a country where we can discuss this" or something along those lines? You know, the usual BS that contestants feed the judges?
It just irritates me that people think she lost because "OH THE HOMOSEXUALS MADE A BIG FUSS ABOUT IT SO THE SHOW DOESN'T WANT TO MAKE CONTROVERSY".
Its not about her opinion. And frankly, if it was, she would've gotten the answer right. In case everyone else didn't listen to the question, there are 46 states worth of people who don't believe homosexuals should have equal rights.
And stop giving her excuses for giving crappy answers. She should've been prepared. I mean, Perez Hilton was the one asking her the question... that's an automatic giveaway as to what your question will be. And on top of that, she should've been informed, considering she's from California (Prop8 controversy, anyone?) and that her sister's a gay rights activist.
Although, in all honesty, I will admit that I can't believe the hype this has gotten. Really, people, I know its a touchy subject and we're all going to get worked up. But does it really surprise you that a person running for Miss USA was stupid? o_o They were all idiots.
I guess the difference is that no one else was stupid enough to offend anybody...