Miss New York on her pro-gay rights platform

Claire Buffie, this year's Miss New York, was on MSNBC this weekend talking about being the first Miss America contestant to ever run on a platform supporting GLBT rights.

She should probably earn bonus points for being able to do the interview while balancing that crown on her head.

From a recent interview Buffie did with The Advocate:

What did you think of the controversy surrounding Carrie Prejean at the Miss USA pageant in 2009? The question is a difficult part of the competition. I initially applauded Carrie for having an opinion and voicing it rather than just feeding the public what they wanted to hear. I feel she was forced into a media frenzy over which she did not have complete control. The difference between Carrie Prejean and myself is that this is a platform on which I have personal stories to share and I can support statistically, and I don't think she had that education on the issue to be a spokesperson. I think if anyone's going to speak publicly about a serious issue like this, they need to be completely [knowledgeable]. I feel sorry for someone in that situation.

[video via Buzzfeed]

Earlier on AOA: Miss New York supports same-sex marriage and can fix iPods

Comments

Great interview. She seems extremely intelligent and dedicated to her platform. It will be interesting to see as the contest gets closer if any contraversy comes up.

Not quite sure what Ms. New York means about "support statistically," but she seems like an able ambassador for our state. Maybe *she* should be Senate Majority Leader?

Wow - she is eloquent, thoughtful, well-spoken, compassionate - we're lucky to have a great rep from NY! Maybe I'll even watch Miss America this year to cheer for her. Hearing her interview makes me dislike beauty pageants a little less - however she won without having big hair, so already she has set herself apart from the crowd.

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