Carrie Prejean may have disappeared in into thin air, but a replacement has happily stepped in to insist that "death is upon" lesbians and gays as the Bible tells her so.
The self-described Miss Beverly Hills 2010 Lauren Ashley, 23, is the latest beauty queen from California to object to same-sex marriage, according to the Advocate.
"The Bible says that marriage is between a man and a woman. In Leviticus it says, 'If man lies with mankind as he would lie with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death and their blood shall be upon them.' The Bible is pretty black and white. I feel like God himself created mankind and he loves everyone, and he has the best for everyone. If he says that having sex with someone of your same gender is going to bring death upon you, that's a pretty stern warning, and he knows more than we do about life.'"
Ashley will be competing in the Miss California pageant in November. She's a big fan of Prejean, and has "no hate" for anybody, even her gay friends, "That isn't really the issue. I have a lot of friends that are gay, and ... I have a lot of friends who have different views, and we share our views together."
After speaking out against gay marriage, she has been publicly condemned by the City of Beverly Hills.
"The City of Beverly Hills today denounced statements made by Miss California USA contestant Lauren Ashley, the self-described Miss Beverly Hills. Ms. Ashley resides in Pasadena and is currently a contestant for the Miss California USA title. She does not represent Beverly Hills in any capacity," the city said in a news release issued Wednesday. "The City of Beverly Hills strongly condemns Ms. Ashley's recent statements and has contacted pageant officials to determine ways to formally prevent any beauty contestants claiming the title of Miss Beverly Hills in the future."
But despite the controversy-and all he endured last year during the Perez/Prejean saga-state pageant director Keith Lewis stands by Ashley's right to voice her opinion.
"I believe in the rights of the individual and their personal beliefs, and I believe in tolerance and respect for all sides of the issues," Lewis said.
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