Anti-Gay 'Miss Beverly Hills' Roils City

Bible touts death penalty for gay sex, Lauren Ashley tells Fox
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 25, 2010 2:11 AM CST
Updated Feb 25, 2010 6:00 AM CST
Anti-Gay 'Miss Beverly Hills' Roils City
Lauren Ashley: 'God knows what he's talking about.'

Beverly Hills residents are incensed that a Miss California USA contestant who touts the biblical death penalty for gay sex is claiming she represents the ritzy nabe. A statement issued by the city said Beverly Hills officials were "shocked" when they learned that Lauren Ashley was calling herself "Miss Beverly Hills," and declared that she "does not represent the city in any capacity." Besides, Ashey lives in Pasadena, the statement noted. Ashley recently quoted the Bible in an interview on Fox News, saying that "men who lie with men shall surely be put to death."

If God says that gay sex "is going to bring death upon you, that's a pretty stern warning, and he knows more than we do about life," she added. Mayor Nancy Krasne told the Los Angeles Times she was "dismayed" that Ashley has linked herself to Beverly Hills, "which has a long history of tolerance." A beauty pageant spokesman said contestants may choose the territory they represent. The brouhaha follows Carrie Prejean's dust up last year with pageant officials after speaking out against gay marriage.
(More Carrie Prejean stories.)

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