Bravo, Miss California Carrie Prejean.

Not for the answer to the question you were asked, but because you answered it from your heart, true to your beliefs and values.

Prejean entered the final interview of her quest for the Miss USA title battling Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton for the crown. An openly gay man who was acting as a pageant judge, asked Miss California if she believed all states should follow Vermont in legalizing gay marriage — an issue that has appeared on 17 state election ballots only to fail 17 times.

She began by saying it’s a person’s choice, the politically correct answer, but finished her answer by saying, in her family and her upbringing marriage should be between a man and a woman. She slipped in a “no offense to anybody” because she knew her answer would cause a firestorm.

Prejean finished second, likely for speaking from her heart.

She has been labeled intolerant and anti-gay, vilified on a national stage  all because she answered a question with her own opinion instead of what other people wanted to hear.

Many want the old saying, “Although I may not agree with what you say, I will fight for the death your right to say it” to add the caveat “as long as you agree with me.” Those pleading for tolerance are the most intolerant.

Gay marriage is one of the most contentious social issues facing this country today. Those who believe it is the right thing to do for equality and human rights have as much right to believe that as those who think it is an attack on the traditional form of marriage that has existed for millennia.

Carrie Prejean faced an impossible dilemma while standing on stage in front of a live national TV audience as one of two in line for the crown of Miss USA. She could have answered the convenient way, but she didn’t. She answered from her heart.

Miss California should be lauded, not persecuted. In the face of an unwinnable situation, she did the one thing that is so rare these days — she spoke her mind.

Such a pleasant shift from watching politicians and athletes dance around an issue in fear of offending this group or that. It is OK to speak what you believe. It is OK to revolt against political correctness. It is OK to disagree on any issue.

It’s a major reason that living in America is the envy of millions.

Bravo, Miss California, bravo.