HotmailMiss Calif. pageant gives ad time to gay group
Former title holder Carrie Prejean to be offered same amount of air time
 Steve Marcus / Reuters Former Miss California Carrie Prejean was fired in June by pageant officials who said she missed scheduled appearances. Ensuing legal battles dredged up accusations about Prejean's gay marriage comments and breast implants. |
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SAN FRANCISCO - The Miss California USA pageant director who became embroiled in a war of words with former title holder Carrie Prejean has donated 30 seconds of free ad time to the state's largest gay rights group.
Equality California announced Thursday that it would be airing a spot featuring a teenage girl with two mothers during the Nov. 22 contest, which is airing on the CW and My Network TV.
Keith Lewis, the pageant's executive director, says he would give Prejean the same amount of time if she wanted to provide a pre-taped message.
Lewis, who is gay, accused Prejean of violating her contract when she ignored his advice on how to handle the intense publicity after she said during this year's Miss USA pageant that she was opposed to same-sex marriage.
The legal war between Prejean and pageant organizers ended earlier this month when the two parties reached a confidential settlement on dueling lawsuits.
Prejean sued Miss California USA organizers in August for libel, slander and religious discrimination. She accused them of telling her to stop mentioning God even before her controversial remarks against gay marriage.
Prejean was fired in June after pageant officials accused her of missing events, an allegation that she denied.
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- Discuss Story On Newsvine
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