Lesbian contestants make history in battle to become Miss California

Two lesbian contestants are competing to be crowned this year’s Miss California, the first time any gay candidates have taken part in the pageant’s 60 year-history. 

Two lesbian contestants are competing to be crowned this year’s Miss California, the first time any gay candidates have taken part in the pageant’s 60 year-history.


Mollie Thomas, 19, who is representing West Hollywood, and 26-year-old Jenelle Hutcherson, who is the entry for Long Beach, will both take part in the competition, which has 400 candidates.


Thomas, a student at UCLA, said she hopes to become a role model for others. “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,” she said, as the Los Angeles Times reports.


The state pageants traditionally promote conservative, family values, and Thomas admits she had concerns ahead of the competition. She said: “Initially I wondered if the organisers and other contestants would accept or ostracise me, but I’ve been fine.”


Hutcherson hopes her entry will help to serve as an example for children to learn respect for others, no matter what their sexuality. She told the Los Angeles Times: “We have the power to create a better future for our kids by setting an example of treating each other with love and equality,”


Organisers of the event, which is judged on personality as well as looks, approached the two women, and the competition’s co-executive Keith Lewis believes their inclusion will help to portray the pageant as a inclusive competition.


“The state [pageant] will emphasise individuality and push the envelope even further...This year’s event will be bigger and reflect the progressive attitudes of the contestants,” Lewis said in a statement.