It takes a same-sex marriage controversy to get anyone to care, talk about, or remember the Miss USA pageant even took place. So: Well done, America! (No, really, WELL DONE.) When Miss California Carrie Prejean — a “motivational speaker” hopeful — responded to a question about whether she believes same-sex marriage should be legal, the Golden State’s reigning beauty had the audacity to say “no.” OMG! Even pretty people can be hateful! (She did say “no offense,” so, uh, none taken?) But question asker and judge-y blogger Perez Hilton didn’t let it end there. And neither did Prejean.

Immediately after the broadcast, Hilton made a video diary of his disgust in Prejean’s response, calling her a “bitch.” Then he went on MSNBC today and apologized for it. AND THEN TOOK BACK HIS APOLOGY.

Prejean, meanwhile, this morning told Miss USA host Billy Bush that her own sister, who is straight, is a gay rights activist (and Air Force lieutenant). And her sister — did we mention the sister is not gay? — told Prejean she wasn’t “offended by anything you said, we have two different opinions, and I love you because of it. I love you because you stood up for what was right, and it’s not a matter of being gay or not gay. It’s a matter of you competing for Miss USA and getting a question and answering it to the best of your ability.” Adds Prejean: “And should I have gotten that question? I don’t think I should have.”

Well, glad to know a heterosexual person doesn’t take offense to a family member not supporting civil rights.

Losing the crown to Miss North Carolina, Prejean now says it was Hilton’s question (or her answer) that cost her the crown. Perhaps — because what type of PR shitstorm would Miss USA, a pageant that wouldn’t function without gay folks, invite upon itself if it crowned a homophobe?