Embed This Article Free speech should be applauded regardless of speaker’s personal beliefs [ArticleMedia] Friday, May 29, 2009 By Bettina Cristo/Section Editor/column When you’re on stage with millions watching and are asked a rather controversial question, will you: a) lie and go against your beliefs to look good in public or b) say what you truly believe to be right and risk the controversies to come?     In this year’s MISS USA 2009, Miss California Carrie Prejean chose option b).     Not only did Prejean have to answer the scandalous question in front of millions, but, as if set up to lose the crown, the question was asked by the notoriously gay, gossip blogger – Perez Hilton. Perez Hilton is known for his rude and often cruel celebrity gossip posted on his website perezhilton.com.     It took guts to answer honestly in front of such a judgmental man who will disapprove with your answer and probably hurt your stance in the competition or perhaps blog viciously about you. I know for a fact, that most people in Prejean’s place would have lied to get ahead.     Perez Hilton proudly began his question with a little background information. With all smiles, he began to state, “Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same- sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow, why or why not?”     “Why not” was included in his question - meaning that there would be a chance that the person who would answer his question might oppose gay marriage. Then why was he so shocked and disappointed? Surely, he must have been prepared for some controversy to come along with his equally controversial question.        In response to Perez Hilton’s question, Prejean replied politely and in no way meant to hurt others.     “We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. 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.”     Simple and to the point.     Keith Lewis, who is in charge of the Miss California competition, was reportedly “saddened” by Carrie Prejean’s answer.     “As co-director of the Miss California USA, I am personally saddened and hurt that Miss California believes marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman.”     The co- director reportedly shared the same feelings as Mr. Lewis. One girl doesn’t woo the judges and all of a sudden her once supporters turn their back on her?     Who could blame them as they try and save their reputations and avoid being grouped with a “gay marriage hater”?     Beauty pageants are all about looking good and pleasing the audience. Miss California is just courageous enough to express her true self.     Kind of like in the movie ‘Miss Congeniality’ when Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock) is asked “What is the one most important thing our society needs?” and Gracie replies “That would be... harsher punishment for parole violators,” which is obviously not what viewers want to hear. “World peace!” she finally yells, just to get the crowd excited.     Carrie Prejean is sort of like Gracie Hart, expressing what she really felt was right except she didn’t sell out in the end just to get the crowd going. She remained consistent with her beliefs.       I’m personally all for gay marriage, but part of my having an opinion is accepting that other people have opinions as well, not necessarily similar to my own.     Although, I do not share the same opinions with Miss California, I fully respect them. I also fully respect that she would have the courage to stand for what she believed in, rather than lie through her teeth.     I for one, side with Miss California. No matter how closed minded her answer might have been, she was brave enough to stand for it.     We’re all lucky to be in a country in which we sneer at discrimination. But let us not be hypocrites.     Let us not discriminate against those who are merely and politely following their personal beliefs.