Out Miss Missouri Erin O'Flaherty Announces Engagement

The reigning Miss Missouri, Erin O'Flaherty, announced yesterday on social media that she is engaged to her longtime girlfriend. (Per O'Flaherty's request, we have removed her fiance's name from an earlier version of this article due to privacy concerns.)



O'Flaherty made history last year by becoming the first openly gay contestant to compete at the iconic Miss America pageant in Atlantic City in September.



The barrier-breaking beauty queen is involved in many LGBT causes, including The Trevor Project and suicide prevention. She was featured in last year's Pride St. Louis Grand Pride Parade and more recently, dropped the ceremonial puck at the inaugural St. Louis Blues Pride Night.