Thursday - Miss Delaware Prelims

What a great night for the Miss Delaware Scholarship Organization!
The competition was exciting and the 16 contestants looked amazing -
can't wait to see what Friday night prelims bring. As Aimee Voshell
String said in her blog, "Thursday night's competition was FIERCE!!!
Congrats to all of our contestants! The preliminary evening gown
award was a three way tie. Congratulations to Maria Cahill, Erin
Magnin, and Melissa Caltabiano. The Linda Kurtz preliminary swimsuit
award went to Chelsea-Lee Ray and the Preliminary Talent Award went to
Chelsea Betts. A huge congratulations to all of the preliminary
winners. You should be so proud!! I also don't want to forget to
congratulate Thursday's Miss Spirit, Marcie Smith!" Looking forward
to later tonight! Pictures and videos coming soon!

I delivered a sermon...in Arkansas.

When I got the text message, “What are you religious views?” from my business manager, I was quite confused to say the least. My first reaction was that they aren’t beliefs that can be explained in a simple text message because my faith and spirituality have evolved from my upbringing in the Methodist church and progressed with my life experiences. Judy told me that I had been requested to deliver a message about my platform at a church in Arkansas. And with this news, I immediately picked up the phone to call Alyse, Miss Arkansas, and my roommate at Miss America. Just as shocked as I was, we were both very excited for this appearance, something no one saw coming this year with my platform. But this is the reason I loved it even more. 

I am fascinated by religion and spirituality and the coexistence of ‘religion’ and homosexuality. I am incredibly grateful for the unique opportunity to touch every facet of these issues and reach a new audience in the beautiful south of Arkansas. Mountain Song Fellowship Church is a small non-denominational congregation that is coming under the United Church of Christ. Led by Rev. Jerry Cook, a quiet but passionate servant and leader, the church is so warm and inviting. On the given Sunday I was there, it was wonderful to see new people who came to the church from as far as four hours away just to hear me speak. They gave me a key to the city of Fayetteville and beautiful roses with the most touching introduction. 

I knew there were parts of my message that would potentially be emotional (for anyone who really knows me, when am I not potentially emotional…) but man, after this introduction, I was already in tears. Rev. Cook made mention of his heros, people like Mother Theresa and Billy Graham, and said that he had found a new hero in me. Wow. From states away, the power of my message and my actions had reached him in such a deep way and was an inspirational reminder to never stop standing up for what I believe in and taking every opportunity to share it. In and out of tears, I delivered my prepared message, some of which I will share below… 

"I grew up in a Methodist church where a week never went by where any of us – six in total – missed the 8:30 contemporary service, Sunday school and on most Sundays, youth group. Sermon after sermon, hymn after hymn, we worshiped and listened to messages about one of the greatest commandments to “love your neighbor as yourself” and we were taught and encouraged to give selflessly and be a servant to others – all others. This word “all” carries great meaning. To me, it truly means all – people whom I love, people whom I have never met, people who are the same as I, people who are different than I. I never understood all to exclude anyone. Yet now, there is a chasm between the church that preaches inclusivity and acceptance and the advocates who fight for universal respect and equality. 

With so many people struggling with both internal and external or public discovery of their sexual orientation, how that can coexist with their faith, and how they are treated as second-class citizens under the law, people need to hear our prayers, yes. But more than that, I believe that people need to hear our voices. They need to hear that religion, faith, spirituality, Christianity, Christian values, can and do coexist with the values of respect and equality for all people, including our LGBT brothers and sisters. In fact, I believe it to be one of the most fundamental lessons I have learned from the Bible in my upbringing: to live without judgment and instead as a light, spreading love to others with acceptance and respect. In Equality Magazine, I read the most perfect title: The antidote to the conservative Christian right is a vocal, faithful and supportive left. Religion and faith are each completely unique to every single one of us. Perhaps as unique as the relationships we have with others, significant others or family and friends. The uniting principle that runs as a common thread throughout all of those relationships, with others, with ourselves and with our God or higher power, is love. 

Love is not something to be regulated by the government or the church. Love is something we all deserve, need and should have the freedom to express. In the last fifteen minutes, I have not spoken extensively about the freedom to marry because I don’t think that it’s the foundation of this fight. It is the product of this battle or civil rights movement. The foundation is in respect, dignity and true equality for all people. The foundation is built upon morals and values, whether driven by your teachings of Jesus or teachings of mom and dad, that are inclusive and respectful of all people. When we can tread fearlessly on this foundation, that freedom to marry will naturally become accepted. We can't just change laws. We have to change people’s hearts and minds through personal testimony and example so that we can all coexist equally in the eyes of each other that will finally reflect the lens through which God sees all of His children."

I was so happy to have my parents join me in this experience in Arkansas.  AND we got to head down a few days early for some much needed R&R in a cabin, hiking in Devil's Den and watching lots of movies :)

I am a New Yorker for Marriage Equality

OK I can't believe this came while I was traveling in Arkansas which made me unable to really promote it. When I was in Washington, D.C. with the Top 12 of Miss America in March, I met with the Human Rights Campaign, spoke with their staff and interns and filmed this PSA.  Had to keep it quiet for a while, but I am now so proud to share the video with you all. I am honored to be a part of the New Yorkers for Marriage Equality series that has featured many incredible leaders, celebrities, politicos and every day people. My Miss New York sister Vanessa Williams just joined the series as well. I think you might have heard of her :)

Miss New York Joins HRC’s New Yorkers for Marriage Equality Campaign

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By Charlie Joughin
May 20th, 2011 at 10:57 am

2010 Miss New York, Claire Buffie, has filmed a video for HRC’s New Yorkers for Marriage Equality Campaign.  In the video, Buffie describes marriage equality as a “fundamental fight for fairness,” and how she competed in Miss America 2010 on an LGBT rights platform.  The campaign, which raises the public profile of marriage equality in the Empire State, can be viewed online at www.hrc.org/NY4marriage.

Claire’s platform as Miss New York has been LGBT equality and has traveled the state promoting fairness.  She has spoken to fellow New Yorkers, appeared in PSA’s, and lobbied members of the state legislature and has been a wonderful straight ally to the LGBT community.

A recent poll released by Siena Research Institute shows public opinion continues to trend toward marriage equality in New York State with a record high of 58 percent support and a record low of 36 percent opposition.

The New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign is centered on video testimonials from New Yorkers who support the right of same-sex couples to marry. To date, HRC has released videos from Miss New York, Anna Wintour, Larry King, Sean Avery, Julianna Margulies, Bill T. Jones, Sam Waterston, Christopher Meloni, Mario Batali, David Chang, Tom Colicchio, Lucy Liu, Bill Bratton and Rikki Klieman, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Former New York City Mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins, Russell Simmons, Mark and Sunrise Ruffalo, John Slattery, Joan Rivers, Barbara Bush, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon, Fran Drescher, Moby, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, Julianne Moore and Kenneth Cole – with more to follow in the coming weeks.

Miss New York Joins HRC’s New Yorkers for Marriage Equality Campaign

HRC BackStory, May 20, 2011

AIDS Walk NYC | Impact Red

AIDS Walk NYC is an enormous event that rain or shine, brings together 45,000+ people who all walk for different reasons.  I walk because I constantly fight to destigmatize people and groups who are treated differently or disrespected by society.  I walk for someone special, and he knows who he is. This year, I walked with Impact Red, a team founded by Tyler Helms, who one year ago, disclosed his HIV+ status on his Facebook status.  And his world was turned upside-down.  Since that moment, 355 people have shared their status with him in confidence, admitting that they have not and will not tell anyone else and have not sought medical care for fear of mistreatment, disrespect or denial of service.  Impact Red’s byline is Conversation + Awareness + Change -- a perfect match with what I advocate for – opening dialogue about something that’s sometimes scary and misunderstood and therefore pushed aside in order to create awareness and educate people to affect positive change.  I am honored to be a part of the Impact. Watch Tyler’s story HERE.

Tyler Helms, Founder Impact Red

Impact Red was the AIDS Walk NYC’s featured team this year, who set a goal of $100,000 in fundraising, and surpassed it.  At about $64,000 in online fundraising, Thursday night after my day in Staten Island, I went straight to the Impact Red fundraiser at La Pomme where a huge crowd gathered to support Impact Red.  By the end of the night, they were nearing $100,000 and made a final push that took them over their goal.   It was really fun to spend this evening with Kandice Pelletier (who introduced me to Impact Red), Jackie Swerz, and Katie Berry, a Miss NJ contestant with an AIDS Awareness platform. 

Gossip Girl anyone?  Thanks for your support,  Matt

Sunday, someone even more special joined me for the AIDS Walk – my sister, Sarah!  In town for my birthday weekend, Sarah got to come to the AIDS Walk opening ceremonies with me, experience the crowd of thousands gathered in Central Park, witness the incredible celebrity and corporate support of this fundraiser, and hear a beautiful story of a woman who’s life has literally been saved by the work and support of GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis).  She found out she was HIV+ and spent the next 14 years of her life hiding in her apartment, continuing to abuse drugs and not expose herself to the outside world.  Two years ago, she found GMHC and was seeking treatment when she found out that each of those years she was hiding, her daughter was doing the AIDS Walk in her honor.  Last year, they got to do the walk together, and this year she was on stage alongside the cast of Modern Family, Laura Innes from The Event, Matt Bomer from White Collar, the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Project Runway star Mondo and Audra McDonald.  What an evolution.  She starts college in the fall. 

Modern Family "stretching"

Erik Bottcher, Sarah & me, Matthew Berritt from Impact Red

Sarah and me with Wilson Cruz - she was so excited to meet someone famous :)

After hearing Tyler’s story, he is now another reason why I walk.  We all have different reasons, but this year alone, we came together to raise a total of $6,214,768 .  That’s over six million dollars. Now that’s an Impact.

Could Mr. Vorheesville survive to become Mr. New York?

Two years ago, Leigh-Taylor Smith Miss New York 2008, was invited to Mr. Vorheesville and didn’t exactly know what to expect.  It was a pageant for high school boys as a fundraiser supporting the high school volleyball team and SADD – Students Against Destructive Decisions.  Well, I’m glad she didn’t tell me too much about the event so that I could be as blown away as I was.  I had a blast, let me tell you.  12 guys competed in a Survivor-themed opening number, casual wear, talent, evening wear and on-stage questions.  The emcee was hysterical, constantly badgering Max to my right, Mr. Vorheesville 2009 (good choice Leigh-Taylor!), a clear crowd favorite.  

this photo just captures so much -- this kid was hilarious!

talents as unique as the unicycle

evening wear with their escorts - perhaps this is why JD won

Judging was hard!  I guess it set me up for this summer…  Your Mr. Vorheesville 2010 is JD, a soccer- and baseball-playing, sports-loving gentleman with a cool swagger and heartfelt preparation.  Hey, I announced that he is more than welcome to come on down to compete in Mr. New York on June 13^th as our kick-off event of pageant week!  We’ll see if he comes!  The 7 hours I spent in the car with Linda Carbo were undoubtedly hilarious and awesome – the next girl is really in for a treat with this one J

me with all the Mr. Vorheesvilles - what great guys!

 Here's an update for you -- Max Schuster, Mr. Vorheesville 2009 (far right) is an official contestant in Mr. New York 2011!

Great photos thanks to Mitchell Joyce Photography    Flickr Album: Mr. Vorheesville

Staten Island Filming & Promos

As the 2011 Miss New York State pageant week approaches in our new home of Staten Island, we are drumming up lots of press and media thanks to the Staten Island Advance and our volunteers and board members in community relations there on the Island.  Thursday, following a wonderful lunch at the Staten Island Rotary Club, we had a really great opportunity for eight of the Miss New York contestants to join me, Kenny Mack (Executive Director) and Al Lambert, Staten Island celeb and musician, to record a 30-minute segment to be aired on cable networks in Staten Island, Manhattan and Brooklyn in the month leading up to the pageant.  I believe it’s so important to emphasize the number of women in this organization rather than just focusing on the one representative of Miss America or of the state titleholder.

• ·      Miss NYC, Hannah Wright, spoke about the integration of her talent as a Juilliard dancer into her platform of empowering youth through dance as well as the fact that the Miss America Organization has awarded her over $10,000 in scholarships that afford her the ability to attend such a prestigious school.
• ·      Miss Queens, Nardeen Billan, spoke of bringing her culture and heritage to the Miss NY stage through belly dancing and the excitement of pageantry back to her family. She gave us a little insight on her Mr. New York contestant – her boyfriend!
• ·      Miss Kings County, Carmen Mendoza, talked about her personal platform “Destigmatizing Getting Tested” about HIV/AIDS awareness and knowing your status.  And did you know, Salsa dance, her talent for Miss NY, kind of originated in New York clubs?
• ·      Miss Five Boroughs, Kate Perkins, reflected on the excitement and challenges presented as a first-time competitor and how the organization has already influence her life.  She even sang a little impromptu tune with Al.
• ·      Miss Greater Gotham, Kasey Waters, admittedly discussed something that makes New York unique in the MAO, the fact that we draw contestants from many states, herself from North Carolina originally, because of the amount of young women who come to New York City especially to pursue dreams, careers and school.  Kasey represents New York in addition to North Carolina, two of the nine states represented in this year’s contestants.
• ·      Miss Liberty, Kim Cantoni, one of the three Staten Island girls in the competition this year, shared some of the exciting things we’ll be doing during the Miss New York week
• ·      Miss Richmond County, Amanda Alicea, another Staten Islander, is a former Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen (one of 3 in the competition this year) and shared how the Outstanding Teen program for girls age 13-17 really feeds into the Miss New York Scholarship Program for women 18-24.
• ·      And lastly, Miss Staten Island, Maria DeSantis, an obvious Staten Islander, shared in the excitement of bringing the state pageant to it’s new home in Staten Island at the St. George Theatre and acknowledged the incredible support and family-oriented community involvement of the Island’s residents, businesses, charitable organizations and politicians.

If this media experience was any taste of what the girls will be bringing to interview and the state competition, we’re in for a good year!  I was really impressed by the way the girls stepped up with such enthusiasm on such short notice and represented the organization so well.  Special thanks to Al Lambert and Terry Terrangelo for setting this up, Joel the camera guy from CTV and the Nicotras at the Hilton for allowing us to tape at our host hotel.  I was able to take a tour of the entire Hilton – it’s huge! – and check out Lorenzo’s Cabaret where the Mr. New York Pageant will be held.   So excited!

Equality + Justice Day

Two years ago, I attended my first Equality + Justice Day with the Empire State Pride Agenda, and it marked my very first lobby day. Since, I have grown more involved, understanding political advocacy and my role in it as a constituent and now as a mini-celebrity. It was then that I first met Kate Hathaway and started to get to know some of the heavy hitters in the fight for marriage equality as well as the other bills and legislation necessary to fight for to achieve true equality. In 2009, I was a volunteer, attempting to give directions in the capitol building and the convention center. Since then, I have competed twice in Albany at the Egg Theatre and the University of Albany for Miss New York, spent much time exploring the capitol, meeting with senators and members of the Assembly and feel like I moreso know my way around. But more importantly, I know my way around a legislative meeting. 

I was fortunate to attend some of our most crucial meetings with board members of the Pride Agenda, including Kate and Jerry Hathaway, led by Pride Agenda’s Executive Director, Ross Levi. We met with Senate Minority Leader Sen. Sampson, joined by Sen. Tom Duane, sponsor of the marriage bill in the Senate, Chief Political Officer of the Republican Party, Sen. Tim Libous, and then members of the board were able to meet with the supportive Governor Cuomo. There was much talk about the math and votes required to pass marriage when presented on the floor after a failed vote last January, with a circular finger-pointing and need for strategic development and stealth “attack.” Also a focus was GENDA, the civil rights bills protecting transgender people and gender expression. On both issues, marriage more than GENDA, New York is pretty much divided along party lines. This just means that your voice is even more important. Senators NEED to hear you say you support the right to marriage for ALL people. They NEED to hear you say “Thank you, you are doing the right thing by voting YES.” They NEED to hear you say, “I am your constituent and I urge you to vote on the side of fairness, respect and equality for all people with a YES vote in these next few weeks.” 

 

At the rally in front of the statehouse, I was a featured speaker, opening up the rally. It was so neat to look out and see the amount of people there to lobby, from every walk of life, age, race, etc., under this unified movement for equality, and to see it from a different vantage point of the stage rather than the crowd this time around. You never know exactly how impactful you have been because of the walk-around/talk-around of politics, but I am confident that we are being heard, the pot is being stirred, and New York is closer to full equality than ever before.