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A Sea Change at Miss USA

A Sea Change at Miss USA

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Olivia Culpo's announcement receives applause.

Nbroverman

We've come a long way from Carrie Prejean -- Miss Rhode Island Olivia Culpo was crowned Miss USA on Sunday after voicing support for transgender beauty contestants.

Culpo was asked if transgender women should be allowed to enter beauty contests. Culpo responded, "I do think it would be fair ... " because "there are so many people who have a need to change for a happier life. I do accept that because I believe it's a free country." Culpo was soon named the winner of this year's pageant.

After Jenna Talackova, a transgender woman, was allowed in April to compete in Miss Canada, the Miss Universe organization changed its rules to allow transgender women to compete (with a little urging from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).

While Culpo's support of transgender contestants received applause, it was only three years ago that then-Miss California Carrie Prejean famously declared that same-sex marriage should be illegal.

Nbroverman
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Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.