 "Photo: Justin Runquist/Staff Photo")
Supporters of same-sex marriage heard an opposing voice in an unlikely place a few weeks ago, in the Miss USA pageant.
In the question and answer portion of the annual competition, Carrie Prejean, Miss California, had the opportunity to share her opinion on the matter.
Judge Perez Hilton's big question to her was: "Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?"
Prejean honestly and openly answered in front of millions of viewers, "Well, I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage, and you know what, in my country and in my family I think 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."
Some might argue that Prejean's answer disgraced her because it was not a politically correct answer; that in a changing society, her answer did not accurately represent what the nation and the media are conforming to.
Her answer failed the "world peace" standard landing her in hot fire with the media. It reminds me of when Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality answered as a Miss United States contestant that she would like to have strict gun control. The crowd paused, then realizing she wasn't receiving praise she added seconds later, "World peace," and the crowd began to cheer.
In a time when so many people are swayed and controlled by media opinion, Prejean's answer was great.
Her answer was raw, exposing her heart to the matter, in a way to which many Americans can relate if they were speaking to millions of people in a stressful, competitive situation; and it was truth.
The Miss USA pageant may not seem like a forum where controversial opinions and deep subject matter might be expressed, but Prejean proved wrong a notable stereotype of the age-old pageant.
She acted on what everyone in the United States values, their right to speak freely.
It is interesting to note that although she received consistent badgering from the press and others, she was doing exactly what those same criticizing individuals value on a day to day basis, which in contrast is done to generate money and promote viewership.
Prejean sacrificed her possible winning of the Miss USA crown and went against the political grain, speaking from her heart and standing for her beliefs.
Standing in front of a judge who is openly gay and answering the way she did was an example of true courage and character.
These are the type of women that other girls and women should be looking to for inspiration. It is disappointing that her courage and character landed her first runner-up to the Miss USA 2009 crown.
Although Prejean's answer is debatable it was the way she handled the situation that we should admire. Miss USA has an honorable task ahead and I hope she will be able to stand against opposition in as graceful and respectful a way as demonstrated by Miss California.
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