HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Carrie Prejean is joining a campaign against same-sex marriage, despite being reprimanded by beauty pageant officials who say the reigning Miss California is out of line.
The 21-year-old Prejean was in the nation’s capital Thursday to help the National Organization for Marriage launch a campaign against same-sex marriage. The announcement came on the heels of a blistering statement from Miss California USA pageant officials, who accused Prejean of using the pageant platform to promote her political and religious views.
“In the entire history of Miss USA, no reigning title holder has so readily committed her face and voice to a more divisive or polarizing issue,” read a statement issued by pageant organizers. “We are deeply saddened Carrie Prejean has forgotten her platform of the Special Olympics, her commitment to all Californians, and solidified her legacy as one that goes beyond the right to voice her beliefs and instead reveals her opportunistic agenda.”
Prejean, the first runner-up in the Miss USA pageant, appeared on Thursday’s “Today Show,” where she defended her actions.
“I was attacked for giving my own opinion on the stage of the Miss USA contest. And I’m going to do whatever it takes to protect marriage. It’s something that is very dear to my heart,” she told host Matt Lauer.
“The National Organization for Marriage basically just respects marriages and people who support it,” she added. “That’s what I’m here to do today — to protect traditional marriage.”
When asked by Lauer if she should have perhaps waited until her Miss California reign was over to express her views, Prejean offered a steadfast no.
“I think that this is a huge issue right now, and people are very passionate about this issue,” she said. “I think that regardless of our opinions, we need to respect each other, even when we disagree. It’s all about respect.”
One person who is taking a stance against Prejean is actress and Playboy model Shanna Moakler, who won the Miss USA title in 1995. In an interview with Access Hollywood, Moakler revealed that Prejean underwent a breast enhancement procedure that was paid for by the Miss California pageant.
“It was an option and she wanted it,” Moakler told Access host Billy Bush of the breast job.
While Moakler said she’s not upset with Prejean for expressing her views, she does believe that the beauty winner should relinquish her Miss California title.
“I care about the Miss California organization and I care about Carrie carrying on her responsibilities as a titleholder, because she has them and right now she’s not fulfilling those titles,” said Moakler. “She wants to go and tell her story around the country and I think that’s fantastic. I think that’s great if that’s what she wants to do. And if she wants to do that, she should release herself as Miss California USA. Give it to another girl who wants those responsibilities and that title. And she can go tell her story and we’ll celebrate that and support her on that.
“But right now she’s not focusing on her responsibilities. She’s focusing on her agenda and it’s not healthy for everybody.”
Prejean, a native of San Diego, was thrust into the public spotlight at the Miss USA pageant earlier this month when she was quizzed by celebrity blogger and gay-rights advocate Perez Hilton.
“Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage,” said Hilton. “Do you think every state should follow suit, why or why not?”
“We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage,” responded Prejean. “And you know what, I think 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.”
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