Recently crowned Miss Universe Jimena
Navarrete (Ximena Navarrete) says she's in favor of gay marriage.
The Mexican beauty beat out 82 other
women from around the world to earn her title at the Miss Universe
pageant held last week in Las Vegas.
In an interview with Mexico's W Radio,
the Guadalajara native said: “I agree. I think we have to learn to
respect because they are people just like us, there is no difference
and I think it is unfair to discriminate against someone because of
the sex he or she prefers.”
“The truth is that I am absolutely
against discrimination. I have many friends who are gay and I adore
them,” she added.
While no Mexican state has followed in
the footsteps of Mexico City in approving a gay marriage law, a
recent Supreme Court ruling forces Mexico's 30 states to recognize
the marriages of gay and lesbian couples married in the capital.
Navarrete's views on the subject stand
in stark contrast to former Miss California Carrie Prejean, who was
asked her thoughts on the institution during last year's Miss USA
pageant. “And, you know what, in my country and in my family, I
think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a
woman,” she answered.