It took little more than five minutes for me to hear the gay community squealing with outrage after Miss California pulled a fail whale during the Miss USA broadcast. Carrie Prejean, one of the 51 contestants battling for the tiara, told viewers that she was opposed to gay marriage.

Of course, everyone is allowed their opinion, no matter how backwoods it might be. But, when you are competing for a position of influence in this country, hate must not be tolerated. And thank goodness for Perez Hilton, the gossip queen of all media, as he was the one to ask 21-year-old Prejean the question.

“Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage,” said Hilton before asking Prejean, “do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?”

If Prejean would have at least articulated herself properly, she might have escaped the major backlash that is certainly headed her way. Instead, she said, “We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage.” Opposite marriage? I thought she was from California, not some slack-jaw village. She went on to say, “I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman.”

On a positive note, the powers behind the Miss USA contest didn’t award this ninny the crown, rather Miss North Carolina, Kristen Dalton, went home the winner.  Although, Prejean sadly took second place.

I’m not one for pageant watching, as I had no clue this shindig was even going on, and after hearing what kind of antics happen at these events, I’m certain to continue my blackout.

Hilton, and many other prominent members of the media, must keep this a hot topic issue. As a native Southern Californian, I hope to one day shed my sense of shame following the Proposition 8 disaster. The Prejeans of the world certainly aren’t helping.