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04/20/2009

Video: Hey Perez: You're really not helping here, buddy!

by Jeremy Hooper

It's annoying when young people take a stand for inequality. But when that happens, we need people who will go on the national media and ably tell America why it's wrong to deny others their civil freedom. We need people who are truly schooled on the issues, and who can clearly parse a fact-filled response that cuts through the expressed fallacies. We need to talk to the movable middle, which possibly even includes the person who espoused the short-sighted views. We need to make positive media connections, so that this doesn't devolve into a zero sum game in which the teaching team's surrogate completely forfeits the teachable moment.

We don't need people who will just write her off as a "dumb b****," then further (and more misogynistically) state that he'd rather have called her the "c word":

He most certainly does not speak for us.

Perez Hilton Talks About Miss USA Gay Marriage Question On MSNBC [YT]

*Mario's first video, in which he initially called her a "dumb b****":

**UPDATE, 4/21: Video: Hey Perez: You're really not helping here, buddy! [G-A-Y]

Your thoughts

Mario Lavandeira is a dumb b*tch!

Posted by: Alonzo | Apr 20, 2009 4:57:15 PM

Thank you, Jeremy. When this entire controversy began, I rolled my eyes. And I just knew Hilton would say something stupid. Gosh I hope no one thinks he speaks for all of us.

Posted by: a. mcewen | Apr 20, 2009 5:25:31 PM

I can't stand Perez Hilton, but I was proud of him before he wen't and did this. The twit.

Posted by: RainbowPhoenix | Apr 20, 2009 5:26:29 PM

Would he rather she lied about how she felt?

Posted by: ZJ | Apr 20, 2009 5:30:28 PM

Exactly... 2 wrongs never make it right. Same as the people who feel the need to mock Maggie Gallagher's weight.

Posted by: Kamikapse | Apr 20, 2009 5:32:54 PM

He's so happy with himself for creating this controversy, it's what he does for a living.

Posted by: Bruno | Apr 20, 2009 5:57:57 PM

I don't get what the fuss is about. If he didn't want her to express a political opinion, he shouldn't have asked her a political question. I have no idea what he means when he says he wasn't mad because she disagreed with him, but because of the way she answered the question. Uh... yeah, 'cause she answered the question by disagreeing with you. Dummy.

Posted by: Dave Rattigan | Apr 20, 2009 6:11:21 PM

I have absolutely no use for Perez Hilton. To hear that young lady express that opinion was frustrating, but she is entitled to her opinion. I'm not even certain that was a question that should have been included in a beauty pageant. Although, I really don't have much knowledge of pageants except for a Mr. Leather pageant.



Posted by: Mike in the Tundra | Apr 20, 2009 6:25:08 PM

Although I'm normally the last person who would jump to Mr. Lavandeira's defense, I've got to agree that Miss California made a poor response. She completely failed to answer the question that was asked: "Should other states follow Vermont's lead, why or why not?" She neither stated whether other states should follow suit, nor did she explain her rationale. Instead, she went and said something offensive: "In my country, we think marriage should be between a man and a woman." In short, I completely agree with Mr. Lavandeira's sentiments, I just disagree with the way he chose to express his opinion. His comments were rude and short-sighted.

Posted by: Jackson H | Apr 20, 2009 7:12:30 PM

First things first, Hilton needs to down a bottle of testosterone... This effeminate question mark has more estrogen that all of the contestants combined - and then some. Second - this question had absolutely NO relevance whatsoever in being asked - NONE! This man publicly admitted that Miss California's answer more than likely cost her winning - and he should be held responsible for 1) asking a question that had no place being asked in this competition and 2) for admitting that her response placed immediate bias on the decision of the judges. This is an outrage! The world DOES NOT revolve around being gay. It's great that you are - just remember 95% of us AREN'T!

Posted by: Wayne | Apr 20, 2009 7:35:57 PM

Oh yea, Jackson. I think 90% of us agree that Miss California made a poor response. That's what we discussed here: http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/2009/04/video-if-youtube-had-been-around-in-anita-bs-pageant-days.html The issue in this post is Perez's tone, most specifically his "dumb b-----" quip, and implication that he would have preferred to call her a "C word."

Posted by: G-A-Y | Apr 20, 2009 8:02:48 PM

The thing that struck me about the video was P.H.'s contention that it's okay for politicians, who actually have an ability to affect our lives in a tangible way, to advance homophobic ideas "because they have agendas to uphold," but it's vitally important that some beauty queen doesn't express some misguided personal opinion. It would be nice if we could eliminate both situations, but I think the priorities are a bit backwards there.

Posted by: Kelly W. Patterson | Apr 20, 2009 8:04:16 PM

My question is "Why was Perez Hilton a judge for Miss America in the first place?" If you hire inbred trash, you get trash. He's only a poor reflection on himself and certainly doesn't represent the rest of gay America, just like Miss California's views do not represent the rest of free-thinking society. The fact that she was willing to honestly share her opinion on the topic says a lot about her character. She has encouraged renewed dialogue surrounding this divisive issue. Perez Hilton contributed nothing. I say Kudos to Miss California for being honest. I would have given her extra points if I cared about beauty pageants.

Posted by: tom | Apr 20, 2009 8:39:56 PM

Agreed, Kelly. Mario (P.H.) seems to have crafted a message here. Unfortunately, it's not so finely tuned.

Posted by: G-A-Y | Apr 20, 2009 9:08:10 PM

He's judging a beauty contest. Why would anyone expect anything better from him. He did know there's a difference between running for President and running for Miss America.

You say we need people to speak to the undecided middle, but the thought is late in comming. Think of all the self righteous, alienating rants coming from the far left, here and everywhere on queer space. No one ever calls them to task.

Posted by: Wilberforce | Apr 20, 2009 9:45:46 PM

So what's your message here, Wilberforce? Boil it down for me. You complain about the rights movement a lot, sometimes directing it right at yours truly. But I have trouble pinpointing workable suggestions.

Posted by: G-A-Y | Apr 20, 2009 9:59:48 PM

I thank God as you probably do not for Miss California and her answer to the question that was asked to her. When we ask a personal question, we should expect and anticipate a personal reply to which you gays to not seem to appreciate. Why according to you we cannot have our own convictions and opinions? Why do we all seem to have to conform to your perverted behaviors and beliefs? I do not support gay marriage and I am more convinced as I see how you forcefully impose these unnatural and unholy practices on us who are willing to accept your perverted behavior as your own personal lifestyle to take a stand to oppose you. Personally, I will never accept as the definition of marriage a man to a man or a woman to a woman. To this a thank Miss California for her brave and courageous answer which stood up to the cunningness of the judge who asked this such a question in an imposing and biased manner.

Posted by: Mark Kosinski | Apr 20, 2009 10:37:43 PM

Mark: Clearly you have taken the time to listen to the sum of what the rights community has said, have parsed the issue with an open mind, and formed a nuanced assessment of the civil issues at hand. Bravo. Your measured comment reminds us all, on both sides, to always keep the discourse level at a high bar.

Posted by: G-A-Y | Apr 20, 2009 10:46:53 PM

Mark: as you can see, denial is the only truth spoken in the land of the gay.

Posted by: Wayne | Apr 21, 2009 3:04:57 AM

J: The hypocracy on this site is just as bad (if not worse) than Fox News, CNN, or any other outlet where closed minded people love to gather 'round, complain, point fingers at the other side and solve absolutely nothing. This sort of purpose has no merit whatsoever. The point of intelligent discussion is to listen to each other. Offer some sort of compromise to see if common ground can be achieved. Life isn't a game of, "lets see how quickly we can turn everything into a real life Moulon Rouge". At some point in life, you have to grow the hell up. And gay men seem to have an issue with this thought - "growing up". Seriously, stop your bitching and complaining. If you want to be an equal, you have to start by acting like an adult, not like a child throwing a tantrum. On a closing note, I CANNOT wait for the GOP to take back the Hill in 2010, and the White House in 2012, repeal some of these "hell laws" and restore the country the way it needs to be. The Obama regime is turning this country into a live Moulon Rouge. Pathetic. FYI: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/congressional_ballot/generic_congressional_ballot

Posted by: Wayne | Apr 21, 2009 3:29:04 AM

I grew up in East Amherst, just outside of Buffalo. In the late 80's New York Telephone had a great (and humourous) ad campaign going on... the following ad reminds me of the gay community: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aAUoTuQdYY On that note - Good night, folks.

Posted by: Wayne | Apr 21, 2009 3:47:16 AM

I really wish Perez didn't have such a celebrity status :(

Posted by: Forky | Apr 21, 2009 4:01:11 AM

Wayne, you can accuse this site and its writer of many things. "hypocracy" [sic] is not one of them. This site could not listen MORE to the other side. That's what we primarily do -- take on the words, press releases, quotes, videos, etc, of the far-right groups. We listen to their ideas, and we challenge them. Directly, firmly -- but without turning personal. And unlike our opposition, we gladly hold an open forum where folks like yourself can call us whatever you want. Which is why in the past week, you've been free to call us "sad," compare our community to Hitler, and express various and sundry ideas about how much you dislike the gay community. For someone who has decided to spend hours a day here, you really don't seem to have an awareness of what we really do. But stick around -- we'll keep listening. Oh, and it's "Moulin."

Posted by: G-A-Y | Apr 21, 2009 7:20:06 AM

The question was relevant and fair game. There were several other political questions asked--elections in Afghanistan and bank bailouts. What I find odd is that Miss CA seemed almost caught off guard by the question...like she hadn't thought about it before. She's never run into gay people at a beauty pageant in CA? Not one gay person ever had a discussion with her about marriage? Being against a minority's civil rights is sooo 1960's. And Perez Hilton's response is so 1980's.

Posted by: GrrrRomeo | Apr 21, 2009 10:09:58 AM

"He most certainly does not speak for us." Speak for yourself. Her getting called a cunt is putting it nicely.

Posted by: dasdasd | Apr 22, 2009 10:24:03 PM

Perez was very articulate and almost distinguished (yes) in his MSNBC interview. Calling Ms.Cali those names is his way, he's a gossip blogger. She's not the first, and will not be the last to be called these. And although you *can* say that the words "b**ch" and "c*nt" are misogynistic, they are unfortunately a product of our misogynistic society: there are no other names that one can call a woman in the English language. Perez was using what was available to him to dish out insults that many of us would agree with.

Posted by: Mariy | Apr 22, 2009 11:48:12 PM

apparently someone never told Perez Hilton that "beauty comes from the inside"

Posted by: Nomad | Apr 23, 2009 10:18:05 PM

Thanks Perez. Self Indulgent. Not helpful to my partner and or myself. Perez could have been a star but chose to be an attention seeker. Jim and Bill

Posted by: Jim | Apr 24, 2009 10:54:44 PM

Mario Lavandeira aka Perez Hilton .We know we all have met someone like him! He annoys me greatly.Deep down though I too want to use those slurs. Is he perhaps a consequence of minimal progress and glbt media exposure.Is trying to make a name for himself and a buck too (free country)! Serve us better to secure his right to be wrong.Hopefully he will enlighten himself and possibly do better work in the future that won't bring harm glbt people and their families.

Posted by: forbesfart | Apr 30, 2009 12:25:13 PM

yet again, another utterly hypocritical christian, who stands in complete and solid opposition to gay marriage, but who clearly lacks a moral compass and will obviously do anything, see the salacious/naked photos, while standing in judgment of everyone else. well, gays, of course. anyone with a minimal IQ can only imagine the things that she's ACTUALLY done that we don't YET know about if, as a child, she and her "christian" parents let her take naked sex shots, then lie about it when running for miss california, but somehow SHE is the victim here according to her and her "christian" supporters, not the GAY californians who are simply living their lives, paying extra taxes so sluts like prejean can marry again and again and again and otherwise trash gays. jesus must be soooooooo proud of prejean, her parents, and all of the other "christians" who are undoubtedly just like her. that is, they do the most sickening behaviors, vile behaviors, but spend the majority of the religiously psychotic lives obsessed with gay men and their bodies.

Posted by: fc | May 13, 2009 9:58:12 AM

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