Carrie Prejean, Miss California and Miss USA runner-up said in an interview that she had "no regrets about answering honestly" to a question about gay marriage on Miss USA telecast, according to media reports Tuesday.
In her interview, Prejean, 21, talked about her being "tested" by God, the support she got from the audiences and the first thing she did after the telecast where she answered the controversial question by openly gay judge Perez Hilton.
She said she struggled when faced with the question but decided to speak out her opposition against gay marriage becoming legal in California.
"I have no regrets about answering [judge Perez Hilton] honestly," she said, "He asked me for my opinion and I gave it to him. I have nothing against gay people and I didn't mean to offend anyone in my answer."
The San Diego Christian College student finally lost out to Miss North Carolina, Kristen Dalton, and she said in the interview that the result may be charged to her answer.
San Diegans, her hometown fellow, quickly became very divided on Prejean's answer.
"Well, I was a little shocked. Anytime the national stage is used to promote discrimination is horrible," said Fernando Lopez, a member of Marriage for Equality.
"I think it comes down to human rights. I don't think she answered the question very well, but they asked her the question and she has the right to her opinion," explains Doug Fadley of Hillcrest.
Prejean's classmates commended her on her bravery for sticking to her beliefs and not backing down in front of millions of viewers.
"She took her beliefs before winning and I'm proud that she did that. She stood up for her school, for Christians and her beliefs," said Billy Benedetto, one of Prejean's close friends.
(Xinhua/Agencies April 21, 2009)
