Shanna Moakler: Punished for Supporting Marriage Equality?

In response to yesterday's announcement by Donald Trump that Carrie Prejean will keep her crown because "she's beautiful" and "this is a beauty contest", Director of the Miss California USA pageant Shanna Moakler has issued a statement today where she effectively resigned her position with the pageant.

"Since the press conference yesterday, I had a chance to think about what has taken place, and I feel that at this time it is in my best interest to resign from the Miss California USA organization," Moakler tells Us Magazine in an exclusive interview.

"I cannot with a clear conscious move forward supporting and promoting the Miss Universe Organization when I no longer believe in it, or the contracts I signed committing myself as a youth," she continues.

"I want to be a role model for young woman with high hopes of pageantry, but now feel it more important to be a role model for my children. I am sorry and hope I have not let any young supporters down but wish them the best of luck in fulfilling their dreams."

Sources inside the Trump Organization however say that Donald Trump asked for Moakler's resignation specifically and thus it was not voluntary.

At this point we can only speculate as to the reason why her resignation was requested. Moakler has been very vocal in the recent controversy surrounding the Miss USA pagaent and Carrie Prejean, and though Moakler is not under the same obligations as Carrie Prejean, Moakler participated in a print ad against Proposition 8 and also has semi-nude photos in her past.

It is unclear exactly what her obligations are to the Miss California USA pageant under contract; yet severing her responsibilities with the pageant is a bold move for the Trump Organization since Moakler is a powerful asset as a pop culture icon that many women look up to.

She has not as of yet posted anything about the situation to her blog on MySpace, but regardless of the reasons surrounding her resignation, it will be interesting to see what her next platform will be. We here at LezGetReal wish her all the best as she moves forward and we'll be keeping our eyes on Shanna Moakler as one of the next big voices in the fight for Marriage Equality.

Julie Phineas is a work at home mom of 2 who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her by visiting her page on MySpace.