Conservative Christian groups opposed to LGBT civil rights are embracing Miss California, hiring her for an anti-gay marriage ad and offering her a scholarship to the university founded by the late televangelist Jerry Falwell.Carrie Prejean, responding to a question about same-sex marriage during the Miss USA pageant, said gay couples should not be allowed to marry and that homosexuality was a matter of choice.
The remarks caused outrage by LGBT rights supporters, but endeared her to Christian conservatives.
Thursday, the National Organization for Marriage announced it hired Prejean to star in a $1.5 million ad campaign to combat same-sex marriage.
The organization already is running ads on cable channels in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. Gay rights groups say are “spewing lies” about same-sex marriage.
In a statement announcing the Prejean ads, NOM said the commercial will call “gay marriage advocates to account for their unwillingness to debate the real issue: gay marriage has consequences.”
The group also claimed Prejean is a victim of gay activists.
“She is attacked viciously for having the courage to speak up for her truth and her values,” the statement said. “But Carrie’s courage inspired a whole nation and a whole generation of young people because she chose to risk the Miss USA crown rather than be silent about her deepest moral values.”
On Wednesday, Prejean was offered a full scholarship at Liberty University, the Lynchburg, Virginia school founded by evangelist Jerry Falwell.
School Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. made the offer Wednesday while Prejean was visiting the conservative Christian school that does not admit openly gay students and expels students who come out.
She currently is a junior at San Diego Christian College, and has not said if she would transfer to Liberty for her senior year.
Earlier this week, the Miss California pageant expressed concern over her behavior.
“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 rights to voice her beliefs and instead reveals her opportunistic agenda,” the group said in a statement.
Miss California Carrie Prejean To Campaign Against Gay Marriage
The reigning Miss California has gone to Washington to help launch a campaign opposing same-sex marriage.
Carrie Prejean told NBC's "Today" show Thursday that she'll be working with the National Organization for Marriage to "protect traditional marriages."
The 21-year-old says that marriage is "something that is very dear to my heart" and she's in Washington to help save it.
She says many people have thanked her for standing up for traditional marriage.
Prejean was named the first runner-up to Miss North Carolina in the Miss USA pageant April 19. Her response to celebrity blogger Perez Hilton's question about legalizing same-sex marriage may have cost her the title.
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Ad for National Organization for Marriage
Prejean's Sister Downplays "Gay Activist" Label
The sister whom Miss California, Carrie Prejean, called a “gay rights activist” told ABCNews.com that she was surprised by the description.
"I have never even given myself that title,” said Christina Prejean, 22. “I was kind of surprised that she mentioned it, but I think she wanted to get the point across that our family is tolerant.”
While under fire last week for her comments against marriage equality at the Miss USA pageant, Carrie Prejean, 21, told Access Hollywood that her sister, a second lieutenant in the Air Force who is straight, is a gay rights activist.
Christina Prejean said, "She and I have talked about this subject; we both respect each other's views. I support civil unions that would give same-sex couples equal, legal rights and privileges."
She added that her involvement with the gay rights movement is recent.
"A couple weeks back I attended a public forum in Idaho about protecting the LGBT community against discrimination," she said. "That was the very first thing I attended, and I told her about it on the night of the pageant, after she said she felt bad that people might be offended by her response. … But that's obviously such a hot topic that either way, someone was going to be offended."
Christina Prejean said that she was “disappointed and appalled” by the response of gay blogger Perez Hilton, who called her sister a “dumb bitch” for her pageant answer.
She also suggested that a political career could be in her sister’s future. "She wants to be a role model," Christina Prejean said. "Before the pageant, she said she wanted to explore modeling or be a teacher for children with special needs, but she is open to political opportunities. I know she doesn't want to close the door to anything."
The sister whom Miss California, Carrie Prejean, called a “gay rights activist” told ABCNews.com that she was surprised by the description.
"I have never even given myself that title,” said Christina Prejean, 22. “I was kind of surprised that she mentioned it, but I think she wanted to get the point across that our family is tolerant.”
While under fire last week for her comments against marriage equality at the Miss USA pageant, Carrie Prejean, 21, told Access Hollywood that her sister, a second lieutenant in the Air Force who is straight, is a gay rights activist.
Christina Prejean said, "She and I have talked about this subject; we both respect each other's views. I support civil unions that would give same-sex couples equal, legal rights and privileges."
She added that her involvement with the gay rights movement is recent.
"A couple weeks back I attended a public forum in Idaho about protecting the LGBT community against discrimination," she said. "That was the very first thing I attended, and I told her about it on the night of the pageant, after she said she felt bad that people might be offended by her response. … But that's obviously such a hot topic that either way, someone was going to be offended."
Christina Prejean said that she was “disappointed and appalled” by the response of gay blogger Perez Hilton, who called her sister a “dumb bitch” for her pageant answer.
She also suggested that a political career could be in her sister’s future. "She wants to be a role model," Christina Prejean said. "Before the pageant, she said she wanted to explore modeling or be a teacher for children with special needs, but she is open to political opportunities. I know she doesn't want to close the door to anything."
Miss California Breast Implants — Carrie Prejean Implants Paid For By Miss California Organization
Miss California loves Jesus….she just hates the funbags he gave her — so she bought new ones! Actually, The Miss California Organization did.
In an interview with celebrity journalist Billy Bush on Wednesday, Miss USA 1995 Shana Moakler, Co-Executive Director of the Miss California Organization, confirmed that the group paid for Miss California Carrie Prejean’s breast implants just six weeks before she competed in the 2009 Miss USA pageant earlier this month.
Did you guys pay for it?” Billy asked Shanna.
“Yes,” Shanna replied. “We did.”
Miss California set off a national firestorm when she cited religion as the driving force behind her opposition to the legalization of same sex marriage during the Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas two weeks ago.
“It was an option and she wanted it. And we supported that….” Shanna told Billy in a bid to defend the Miss California Organization’s decision to provide financial backing for the breast augmentation.
“Breast implants in pageants is not a rarity. It’s definitely not taboo. It’s very common. Breast implants today among young women today is very common. I don’t personally have them, but you know — they are,” she added.
[Okay, I didn't post anything about Carrie because of what she siad at the pagent. While I don't agree with her (at all), I respect what she personally believes. But really, like she doesn't know lots of gay people from the pagent world? I hope her clothes stylist, colorist, hair stylist, make-up artist, trainer, etc all quit working with her - like they aren't gay men! And, she did a bad job at answering the question - she reminded me a little of Miss South Carolina, which is never a good reference. Then, she lied about her sister - being an activist and being gay. I thought lying was in the top 10 no-no's for Christians. Now she is campaigning and doing commercials against gay marriage... now he is open for comment! The fake boobs thing was just thrown in for being stupid.]
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