Washington (CNSNews.com) – Carrie Prejean, attacked by liberals for defending traditional marriage during this year’s Miss USA pageant, is encouraging conservatives to exemplify tolerance and respect.
“We as conservatives need to be an example – because we know the Left won’t be -- of tolerance, respect and just how to be civil,” the former Miss California told an enthusiastic audience at the Values Voters Summit over the weekend. The annual event is sponsored by the political action arm of the conservative Family Research Council.
“I never thought about being involved in politics, speaking at events with previous presidential candidates,” Prejean told the audience, prompting laughter. “But I know God has called me for such a time as this.”
Prejean, a finalist in the beauty pageant was asked by a homosexual activist pageant judge if she would support gay marriage. She answered “no offense,” but said she believed that marriage should be preserved as the union of one man and one woman.
Prejean recalled knowing that she would lose the pageant the moment she heard the question.
“I knew as soon as I didn’t give a politically correct answer I wouldn’t Miss USA,” Prejean said. “I’m so proud of stands I took. I’m so proud of the answer I gave. God chose me for that moment. I knew I was standing up for Him and the truth. But He knew I’d be strong enough to deal with junk I had to deal with.”
Following those comments, Prejean received thunderous applause.
Homosexual marriage has failed in every state where it has been presented to voters. However, some state courts and state legislatures have approved it.
Same-sex marriage is now legal in four states: Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, and Iowa. Such marriages will begin in New Hampshire on January 1. And in Maine, a final decision is due in November.
Prejean said after the Miss USA pageant, the “storm of vicious, vicious attacks” began on her and her family.
“People mock me for my faith and being a Christian,” she said. “I live in the greatest country in world and I have never seen anything like it in world, as a 22-year-old college student not in politics, not at the time. I’m disgusted at way some people can be so intolerant.”
Prejean said she entered beauty pageants because she thought she could be a role model for other young girls.
“I was raised by wonderful mother and father,” she said. “They raised me believing Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. My parents always instilled in me values to fear God and that nothing is more important in life than how you treat people. Be tolerant of people. Respect people. Don’t ever be mean to people just because they don’t believe what you believe.”