Miss California USA has seen its first openly gay contestants, just three short years after Miss California 2009 Carrie Prejean defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

Jenelle Hutcherson, 26, of Long Beach (left) and Mollie Thomas, 19 (right), of West Hollywood both entered the 2012 pageant and became the first participants in the contest’s 60-year history to refer to themselves as homosexual. Thomas said:

“I’m running for equality and will use this in order to promote visibility on current issues, to become a youth advocate and a role model.”

The beauty pageant is one of the few remaining arenas of heterosexuality, but Keith Lewis, co-executive of the Miss California contest, is happy that this is being challenged. He told the Los Angeles Times the entry of Hutcherson and Thomas will:

“[...] emphasize individuality and push the envelope even further. This year’s event will be bigger and reflect the progressive attitudes of the contestants.”

It seems this may not have been a totally spontaneous move by the ladies concerned. The Times reports Hutcherson and Thomas were approached by pageant recruiters to take part:

“Thomas agreed to compete because it allowed her to represent the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in a positive way.”

While this smacks of a publicity stunt – okay, it is a publicity stunt – it’s hardly promoting a negative message. That said, not all are convinced tying a political sentiment to a beauty pageant is worthwhile. One po-faced commenter on the LA Times blog opined:

“In order to have a non-biased result, it’s critical that all of the competitors be judged on a level playing field and not be given benefit for being either straight or gay. In short, this is a lot of PR and BS that has nothing to do with beauty.”

Miss California USA 2012 Sees First Openly Gay Contestants is a post from: The Inquisitr

Kris0ty McNichol, star of ’70s and ’80s TV shows such as Family and Empty Nest, has revealed to People Magazine that she is gay. The child star released a picture of herself and partner Martie Allen to accompany her announcement.

McNichol’s dcision to come out now is not based on one reason. She told People that as she approached 50 she wanted to “be open about who I am,” but her publicist Jeff Ballard adds she is also keen to reduce pressure on young people who come out before they reach adulthood. Ballard says:

“[Kristy] is very sad about kids being bullied. She hopes that coming out can help kids who need support. She would like to help others who feel different.”

While McNichol hasn’t worked for well over a decade now, she remains a recognized name amongst those of a certain age, and won a pair of Emmys for playing ‘Buddy’ on the domestic drama Family (1976 – 1980). The show even featured an episode where McNichol’s character became involved with a lesbian teacher.

The 1980s saw her enjoy further success, including in films such as Little Darlings and Only When I Laugh (for which she received a Golden Globe nomination).

However, drug use and a diagnosis of bi-polar disorder meant her career sadly hit the skids. The final screen appearance in her 24-year career was in 1998, and she now spends time playing tennis, practising yoga, and traveling.

“She is very happy and healthy,” added Ballard. “And she enjoys living a very private life.”

Child Star Kristy McNichol Comes Out as Lesbian to Fight Bullying is a post from: The Inquisitr

The first kiss is a long-held Navy tradition, yet previously has always been shared by a male and a female. The smooch between Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta and Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell came three months after the repeal of the US military’s archaic “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule.

The 23-year-old Gaeta had been at sea for 80 days before disembarking from the USS Oak Hill amphibious landing ship, and Snell, 22, was waiting for her. Gaeta was dressed in her Navy dress uniform and Snell wore a black leather jacket with blue jeans. Spectators who watched screamed their appreciation and waved flags. Gaeta chatted to reporters after the kiss, saying:

“It’s something new, that’s for sure. It’s nice to be able to be myself. It’s been a long time coming.”

The kiss was described as a “non-event” by commanding officer of the USS Oak Hill, David Bauer:

“It’s going to happen and the crew’s going to enjoy it. We’re going to move on and it won’t overshadow the great things that this crew has accomplished over the past three months.”

Both women are Navy fire controlmen – essentially, their job is to maintain and operate weapons systems on ships. The couple met as roommates at training school, and have now been dating for over two years.

Navy First Kiss Finally Shared by Two Women is a post from: The Inquisitr

In 2008 San Francisco’s D2 softball team finished second in the Gay Softball World Series and now three players from that team have won a settlement against the league after their second place trophy was stripped when they were told being bisexual made them “not gay enough” to win the trophy.

According to the players the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance asked them “intrusive” questions to determine exactly how gay they are. After questioning was completed the panel of questioners determined that the three men were “non-gay” and therefore they had exceeded the two heterosexual players rule.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle one of the three men was married at the time but all three men said they are bisexual. At the time that their second place award was stripped the league allegedly told them:

“This is the Gay World Series, not the Bisexual World Series,”

As part of their victory their second place finish was given back and they will receive an undisclosed amount of money.

After the victory the attorney for all three men said:

“This is an amazing result,” and “It’s also an opportunity to put a spotlight on significant discrimination in sports against the LBGT community.”

While it’s a win for the men US District Judge John Coughenour ruled in a preliminary decision that it’s:

“Reasonable that an organization seeking to limit participation to gay athletes would require members to express whether or not they are gay athletes.”

The sports organization has now changed their bylaws to welcome all gays, bisexuals and transgendered players.

Do you think it was right to award the three bisexual men monetary damages based on the leagues actons.

Softball Players Win Court Settlement After Being Told They Weren’t Gay Enough is a post from: The Inquisitr

Rebecca Arellano (in photo) and Haileigh Adams of Patrick Henry High School in San Diego, California were crowned as one of the country’s first lesbian homecoming king and queen.

Arellano, in showing her elation, said:

“They were chanting my name and it one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. I was happier than when I won, my little Haileigh has just been announced Homecoming queen and I couldn’t feel happier! Thanks to every single one of you! You guys made this happen and we are all part of something huge. I can’t fully express how grateful I am. I am in completely shocked that this happen. My girl looks absolutely flawless.”

There were detractors as well, to which Arellano responded:

“Anonymous Patrick Henry students are saying they’re embarrassed and that it’s wrong for a girl to take the spot of king. But there’s no other way for us to run as a couple. It’s not really fair for us not to have the right to run as a couple. For all the girls who think tradition should be continued, go back to the kitchen, stop having sex before you’re married, get out of school and job system, don’t have an opinion, don’t own any property, give up the right to marry who you love, don’t vote, and allow your husband to do whatever he pleases to you. Think about the meaning of tradition when you use it in your argument against us.”

The pair came out during their freshman year and started dating during their sophomore year. Their parents are both supportive of their preferences and relationship.

What do you think? Do you support Rebecca and Haileigh or do you agree with the Anonymous Patrick Henry students?

Two High School Students Crowned Among America’s First Lesbian Homecoming Couple is a post from: The Inquisitr

Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria is under hot water by film distributor Maya Entertainment. In the actresses new movie Without Men she engages in lesbian scenes and Spain’s distributor has pulled those scenes from the movie.

Maya Entertainment sent a notice to a local festival director about the cut scenes and shortly afterwards the festival director cancelled the films showing.

Without Men follows the story of a Latin American village of women who attempt to rebuild their town after all of the towns men are recruited by communist guerrillas. The movie which also stars Christian Slater was released on DVD in June throughout the United States.

Speaking to the Associated Press Xavier Daniel, director of the Barcelona International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival said:

“We are very angry that a distributor can modify the content of a film. The audience will not understand the film, because all the lesbian scenes are cut out … It is unbelievable in the year 2011.”

At this time Maya Entertainment has not explained their homophobia based reasoning for cutting the scenes.

Do you find it ridiculous as Xavier states that a film company in 2011 is so homophobic that they would actually cut apart a movie because of lesbian scenes?

Eva Longoria Lesbian Scenes Banned In Spain is a post from: The Inquisitr

Earlier this week, Leisha Hailey claimed that Southwest kicked her and her partner off of a flight because of a harmless lesbian kiss. But according to a statement released today by Southwest, it wasn’t the gay PDA that got the L-Word star kicked off of her flight, it was Hailey’s use of profanity.

Southwest said in a statement:

“Additional reports from our Employees and Customers onboard flight 2274 during a stop in El Paso on Sunday now confirm profane language was being used loudly by two passengers.  At least one family who was offended by the loud profanity moved to another area of the cabin.”

Radar reports that Southwest did acknowledge that some customers reported an excessive “public display of affection,” but the airline insists that it was the aggressive reaction that ultimately led to the pair’s removal.

Southwest added:

“We do not tolerate discrimination against anyone for any reason.  In this situation, their removal was directly and solely related to the escalated conversation that developed onboard the aircraft.”

After clearing up the situation, Southwest goes on to pat itself on the back. Southwest said that they celebrate diversity among their customers and employees, and that ALL people are valued and welcome on their flights.

Southwest added:

“We’ve been recognized as a leader in diversity throughout our 40 years of service.”

When Leisha Hailey was kicked off of the flight she immediately took to Twitter to announce her disgust with the airline.

Hailey tweeted:

“I have been discriminated against by @SouthwestAir. Flt. attendant said that it was a “family” airline and kissing was not ok… This is an outrage. I demand a public apology by @SouthwestAir and a refund. Hate is not a family value. I will never fly this airline.”

Do you think Leisha Hailey was really discriminated against by Southwest? Or did she use the fact that she was a lesbian as a scapegoat for her behavior?

Southwest: Gay PDA Wasn’t The Reason Leisha Hailey Got the Boot is a post from: The Inquisitr

Previously, revealing which gender you were attracted to could have earned you a ban from Xbox Live, with many genuinely gay gamers cut off from the service for using the word “gay” in their Xbox Gamertags. Now, the newly progressive overlords of the online gaming service have said a number of new terms are permitted, including Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Straight.

It’s probably worth mentioning that only those five will be allowed; Microsoft worked with GLAAD and “Microsoft’s LGBT community” to settle on the terms. Quite rightly, anyone using such words in an insulting manner will still find Microsoft’s banhammer falling upon them.

I’m personally not fussed about revealing my sexuality on an online gaming service, but I know it probably matters to some people out there; Microsoft should have dropped this draconian, backwards rule from the get-go, so let’s raise a beer to free expression! Extended pinky optional.

[Via Destructoid]

Microsoft allows gamers to reveal sexuality on Xbox Live is a post from: The Inquisitr

The incident occurred at the club Pure at Caesars Palace, and Courtenay is alleged to have hit a Pure security guard in the back of the head with her purse. Caesars’ security force detained Courtenay until police arrived and arrested her, issuing a citation for battery.

Daddy must be so proud. Then again, this sort of press may actually make him feel better about the press he got during his tenure at Yahoo.

Terry Semel’s Daughter Arrested in Drunken Brawl is a post from: The Inquisitr

Showtime’s “The L Word” is teaming up with multimedia developer Electric Sheep to create its own interactive experience. The service will begin testing next month with plans to fully launch in early 2009 — when the show’s new series begins — according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The virtual world will use Electric Sheep’s Webflock platform. Webflock is Flash-based, thereby requiring no end-user downloads or setup prior to use.

“The L Word” virtual world will be the first major usage of Webflock, though Electric Sheep has indicated talks are already underway with other entertainment-oriented clients for future creations. The company has previously built services such as Virtual Laguna Beach, Virtual CSI: NY, and Second Life’s version of “The L Word,” which accompanied the show’s last season.

Electric Sheep To Build Lesbian-Themed Virtual World is a post from: The Inquisitr

I think that a lot of us (well, me and all my friends at least) were rooting for Anne Hathaway to break up with her ever-so-shady boyfriend Raffaello Follieri.

Raffaello, of the fabulous check-bouncing abilities, was sued by a former business associate earlier this year, and as if that’s not enough to make any girl think twice, it was announced last week that the Follieri Foundation is facing investigation by the New York State Attorney General’s Office. Anne (not too surprisingly) appeared on the red carpet sans-boyfriend yesterday for the “Get Smart” premiere. An insider revealed:

“It’s heartbreaking for her to dump him and she’s devastated that it’s come to this, but she really didn’t have a choice. His scandals were hurting her reputation.”

Do you think the lesbian rumors will start up again? Maybe we can take a break from Lindsay Lohan for a while.

Anne Hathaway: Single? is a post from: The Inquisitr

If the rumors are true, then I’m happy for Queen Latifah and her partner Jeannette Jenkins. According to the current buzz, the two are planning a summer wedding for a small group of family and friends. First Ellen and Portia and now possibly these two? I hope more celebs take advantage of the overturned ban on same-sex marriages in California and get hitched!

Latifah’s also rumored to be planning to adopt soon after the nuptials. I wonder if she still has her eye on 18 children like she announced a year and a half ago?

Will Queen Latifah Get Hitched Next? is a post from: The Inquisitr

Lesbian or not, Lindsay Lohan would be better off if she would just come clean and stop sending all these mixed messages.

Or, even better, just tell her mom to shut up and stop confusing us, especially after she ambiguously commented on Linds’ lesbian rumors with “If she’s happy, I’m happy. That’s all I’ll say.” I’m not sure exactly what Dina meant, but I do know that the “happy” speech is usually used when a parent is secretly having a meltdown. (Well, that’s what it meant in my house, anyway).

What makes things even tricker is Lindsay’s rep’s statement after she was offered a rumored $1 million to come out in OK! mag. After Lilo turned it down, her rep responded “They sent offers and we passed.”

So are they saying that Lindsay turned it down because she wasn’t getting paid enough, or because she’s not a lesbian? The vagueness is killing me, especially now that we have more photos surfacing of Lindsay and Samantha looking extra close.

Image: Getty

Lilo’s “Special” Relationship with Samantha Continues is a post from: The Inquisitr