Claire Buffie, winner of this June’s Miss New York pageant, has announced that she will compete on a gay rights platform for the Miss America Pageant. Her platform, entitled “Straight for Equality: Let’s Talk”, focuses on bullying in schools and teen suicide due to sexual orientation. In an interview with The Advocate, Buffie noted that the inspiration for her involvement in gay rights was her sister, who is a lesbian. Buffie has volunteered with PFLAG in New York City, working with public schools to create safe schools programs. Two days before she competed in the Miss New York Pageant, the Dignity for All Students Act was signed by the New York state governor. Buffie told IndyStar, that Miss America “should do more than cut ribbons and smile. She should be an organizer, a force for social change.” She also says she realizes this “may stop [her] from being Miss America,” but says, “As my platform says, let’s talk.”
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