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A Beauty Queen to Believe In


CLAIRE BUFFIE X390 LONG (CROWNING)

Move over, Carrie Prejean. Claire Buffie, crowned Miss New York in June, is the first Miss America contestant to compete on a gay rights platform. A trained dancer and Apple employee, she knows her profile may seem unusual for a pageant contestant, and that’s exactly why she believes she can win over America in the competition this January.

In her first interview with the gay press, the 24-year-old Indianapolis native spoke with The Advocate about her platform of improving the climate for LGBT youths in schools, misconceptions about beauty pageant contestants, and the real lesson of Prejean, the 2009 Miss USA runner-up.

Do you think beauty pageant contestants are misunderstood?

Yes, I do. Even upon entering my first local for the Miss America organization four years go, I had some of those stereotypes that are very common — the hairspray, the eyelashes, the glue and the tape, and all those things. What I found was a group of incredibly intelligent, driven, and service-minded women. I have found my absolute best friends through this organization.

The Miss America organization is a scholarship organization. Each of us has a platform that we support. Girls support platforms from a variety of places. Things like promoting the arts, arts education in schools, traffic safety, driving safety.

Do you fit the stereotypical mold of a pageant contestant?
I don’t think I fit the mold at all, but I think that’s been the greatest part and the reason I have such an effect on people throughout the pageant. My coworkers have said, “No offense, but I didn’t think you were a pageant girl.” It’s empowering women.

What is your day job?
I have my own business in commercial portraiture and graphic design. I also work for Apple, but I’m not allowed to say any more about Apple other than I work for the company on the technical side, based on PR restrictions.

How did you get started in competition?
I started just four years ago. My platform was a strong reason in getting started. I think it’s an unlikely challenge for this message to be discussed. I competed in Indiana for two years in college. Once I graduated, I came to New York and continued competing. I don’t think I would have continued competing if my platform was not something about which I’m so passionate.

Are you aware of any predecessors who competed on a gay rights platform?
In the 90-year history of Miss America, we have not yet found any Miss America contestant who has had this platform. It is quite unique.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Jim
    Date posted: 8/22/2010 3:05:44 PM
    Hometown: Indiana

    Comment:

    http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/5279/clairebuffie.jpg 1998 Claire Buffie School Picture

  • Name: RojoEstrellas
    Date posted: 8/3/2010 5:34:42 PM
    Hometown: Indianapolis

    Comment:

    I've known Claire nearly my whole life, from Kindergarten until high school graduation! Congratulations Claire!

  • Name: Dana
    Date posted: 7/16/2010 11:13:40 AM
    Hometown: Leominster

    Comment:

    What a wonderful person and such a big heart! Thanks for your support and best of luck to you!

  • Name: Pageant Diva
    Date posted: 7/16/2010 1:57:42 AM
    Hometown: 1 Diva Drive

    Comment:

    Non-gay is inaccurate, because that in itself assumes that everyone is gay. Because, to be non-gay, its "breaking the mold." Think of it like this... We're all Americans. So, to label someone as "unAmerican" assumes that they're doing something different than the 'norm.' And, the norm is American. In this case, the 'norm' for our society is heterosexual. It's not an issue of degrading anyone. It's just stating that, for whatever reason, the 'norm' doesn't apply in this situation. I would rather be known as heterosexual than non-homosexual. It's actually standard English practice to identifiy yourself as what you ARE...instead of what you're not. i.e. I'm not non-male! I'm female. I'm not non-brunette. I'm blonde. I'm not non-tall. I'm short. State what you ARE...not what you're not.

  • Name: Michael
    Date posted: 7/15/2010 9:27:40 PM
    Hometown: Bethlehem, PA

    Comment:

    What a great opportunity. I'm really impressed, knowing the homophobia and influence of the Catholic church in NY, yet undaunted in her platform. I'm not fond of the word "straight". I prefer non-gay because of the associations with "straight" - off drugs, out of prison, honest . . . the implications are that being gay connotes the opposite meaning. But we do need non-gay allies and aligning with PFLAGs safe schools program is a very worthwhile place to focus. If only we were further along. I break down when I think of the terrorized lgbt children in our public schools. Just this month, a local 14 y.o. boy took his own life because of the taunting of his peers and the negative messages he got from his Baptist church. I myself was ridiculed, beaten, made fun of, hospitalized, ostracized because of my apparent homosexuality all throughout school. If Miss New York can help bring attention to the critical need for school safety for lgbt teens, I'm behind her 100%. You go, girl!

  • Name: Brian
    Date posted: 7/15/2010 8:03:20 PM
    Hometown: Washington D.C.

    Comment:

    What an inspiration...truly!

  • Name: BSU Grad
    Date posted: 7/15/2010 4:33:59 PM
    Hometown: Muncie, IN

    Comment:

    Ladies and gents, this girl is the real deal: funny, beautiful, and extremely intelligent. I've known her for 5 years and she's awesome. It's people like her who are changing the world for the better, and I'm thrilled that she has been so successful so far. The GLBT community needs to get behind her. She's already behind us.

  • Name: Anne
    Date posted: 7/15/2010 3:33:42 PM
    Hometown: Atlanta

    Comment:

    Thank you for supporting us!

  • Name: jack mack
    Date posted: 7/15/2010 12:44:46 PM
    Hometown: san antonio

    Comment:

    Good for her. She seems smart and sincere.... and even though she's gonna get a heck of a lot of press she wouldn't have, let's give her the benefit of the doubt and assume this isn't just a stunt. And if it is... at least she's doing some good with it!

  • Name: Bonnie MacIsaac
    Date posted: 7/15/2010 12:05:25 PM
    Hometown: Linwood, NJ

    Comment:

    Hi - Please correct your article. Carrie Prejean was the runner up to Miss USA. Claire Buffie is competing in the Miss America pageant. They are not affiliated in any way. Thank you!



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