Okay, we all know that pageants like these are nothing but fluff.
At times, it's enjoyable fluff, but fluff nonetheless.
As a gay rights supporter, I voted against Prop 8, and strongly disagree with anyone who is against gay marriage.
It's their right to feel that way, though, as it's my right to disagree with them.
This is not remotely a question of Ms. Prejean's intelligence or stupidity. It's an unfortunately common practice to automatically attack the intelligence of those we disagree with.
If you want to call her stupid, either because you disagree with her, or because she fumbled a bit while answering a controversial question, fine.
But that's not remotely the issue, and we all know it. Let's stop taking the easy way out.
The real issue is, she was asked a question that was specifically designed to weed out anyone who answered "incorrectly". And frankly, fluff or not, that's inappropriate.
It has no place in a pageant, it has no place in a tolerant society.
She answered according to her beliefs, and should be congratulated for that. She could have given the "correct" answer, but instead she gave an honest answer.
Imagine, twenty or so years ago, a contestant being asked the same question, and giving the opposite answer.
Imagine that she said that gays and lesbians should be allowed to marry.
Imagine that contestant losing the competition solely because of her answer.
It would be just as wrong then as it is now.
The only crime (if you would) committed here was by Perez Hilton, who, let's face it, makes a living as a gossip, offering no real value to anyone.
Hilton pulled a stunt, Ms. Prejean answered honestly, and was punished for it.
For thinking. For honesty. For speaking to her beliefs.
Are these not American values?
Do I agree with her? Absolutely not.
Do I think she did the right thing? Absolutely.
If anything, this sort of story does nothing for gay rights. Does nothing for supporters of gay marriage. It harms the entire movement.
A movement which simply says that homosexual marriage is neither a threat, nor less than, heterosexual marriage, and should be a basic right.
But this sort of story undermines that. It gives fuel to the idea that the "gay agenda" is a threat to American values.
And it's not a threat.
But when good people, smart people, see things like this, why would they think otherwise?
