Miss New York 2010

Since June…Where’s Claire?

2012-01-27T06:27:00.000-08:00

After Miss New York, I traveled for about six weeks, doing just a few things:

Photographed Miss Virginia week
Special guest at Miss North Carolina
Judge at Miss Arkansas’ Outstanding Teen
Was accepted to Georgetown University for my Master’s (hello…moving…ah!)
Spent time as a sister/daughter/friend in Indianapolis
Bridesmaid in Hannah (Wright) Neeleman’s wedding (2^nd RU NY ’10, ‘11)
Moved to Washington, DC for grad school
Bridesmaid in Ashley (Casterline) Schacht’s wedding (3^rd RU IN ’08, 4^th RU ’09, 2^nd RU ’11)
Bridesmaid in Hannah (Buffie) Dale’s wedding (little sister!!!)
Settled in grad school at Georgetown studying Public Relations and Corporate communications
PFLAG NYC Fall Dinner
Spoke at Out & Equal in Dallas, TX with UBS
Named UBS Pride Americas Advocate of the Year

So yeah! I’ve been a little busy! It’s been such a great experience post-Miss New York. The bridesmaid thing shows you how the women in this organization become your best friends (Hannah W. and Ashley were my 4^th and 5^th pageant brides). After much needed family time, I jumped right back into the busy lifestyle that I do best in, just this time in Washington, DC where I’m using my $16,000 in scholarship money at Georgetown. School is fantastic—it truly is a perfect extension of the work I did last year in marketing, brand development and social media—and definitely challenging, but so worth it. I’ll graduate in December 2012 or May 2013 with a Master’s in Public Relations and Corporate Communications. (Shout out to Kaitlin Davis for introducing the program to me!)

I’m still photographing A LOT through my own business (www.clairebuffie.com) dabbling in event planning with Paradigm Event Management through Teri Galvez (Miss DC Exec Director). I’m undergoing new website development and expanding my business a bit to include some of the marketing and public relations skills I’m developing in class. Toying around with Clarity Branding by Claire Buffie.

And I’m enjoying lots of time with my Miss America sisters who are here in DC – Miss DC Steph Williams, VA Katie Uze, TX Ashley Melnick, DE Kayla Martell! Love being here with them—so lucky!

After holidays with my family and my very handsome man in Indianapolis (plus a trip to the Dominican Republic-yay!) and an awesome trip to Miss America 2012, I’m back in school for my second semester at Georgetown. I hope you are off to a wonderful start in 2012!

* * *

Since I have finally put up my farewell video that I wanted to share with you all and celebrated Miss America one year later, this will most likely be my final blog post. I want to once again express my deepest and sincere thanks for the support you have given me throughout my year as Miss New York, our fight for equality, and continued encouragement following. I’ll keep fighting if you promise to keep fighting. Peace.

Miss America 2012

2012-01-24T08:54:00.000-08:00

Wow!! What a week (err…few days)!?! I’m just going to jump right in and say

CONGRATULATIONS to Kaitlin Monte, Miss New York,

2^nd Runner Up to Miss America 2012!

I arrived in Vegas on Thursday in time to visit with tons of friends and finally see the Miss New York board again—it had been too long. I loved walking through the casino, spotting contestants going to rehearsal, seeing people from so many different states who have been such supportive friends of both the organization, and me and of course, turning the corner and seeing MY Miss America girls.

I had quite a few nostalgic moments, but perhaps none that compared to arriving to the Planet Hollywood, having just missed the girls in rehearsal, to find the PH theatre empty, black, but with the Miss America stage lit up. I was the only one in the auditorium and it.was.awesome. Then my stomach turned to knots.

Thursday prelims, with amazing seats with Paul and Kenny on either side was a blast and to top it off, Kaitlin won swimsuit!! So incredibly exciting! I got to see Teresa after the show and she really looked great. Hearing her speak on stage, and afterwards in person, I was so happy to recognize her growth throughout the year. She really did make our class proud.

Friday, we lazed around all day in our awesomely ridiculous Miss A 2011 suite with Miss CA Arianna Afsar, VA Katie Uze, NV Cris Crotz and AZ Katy Bulkley with visits from OK Emoly West and WI Kim Sawyer. We had so much fun at our formers dinner, sponsored by TMG Pageant Network, where 13 of us had a fantastic dinner at LAVO in the Palazzo (the only time I left Planet Hollywood haha). Afterwards, we went to a reception for Teresa where we developed our inside “cupcake” joke that Teresa was able to carry out on stage on the live broadcast as her cued shout out to our class J Then it was back to the suite for all sorts of fun with our class, boyfriends and fiancés and friends!

Saturday, we had another reunion lunch (we’re obsessed with each other), and then headed off to the show. It all felt normal until we walked backstage through the hotel in the same hallway I stood in after the pageant last year, awaiting the announcement of our class into visitation. Cue chills. Throughout the show, I was so proud to cheer on so many friends, old and new, and in sitting with VA, CA, AZ from last year, all of our girls made it in Top 15 and 3 of our girls into the Top 5!

Kaitlin did a fantastic job throughout the entire show, and overall, the Top 15 was just so incredibly solid with one of the most beautiful Top 5s I have ever seen. I got a cute text from my sister saying “Team Betty” referring to the 1^st RU Miss Oklahoma, whose Irish Step Dancing talent brought the house to their feet. Kaitlin was so great after the show in visitation, coming away with $21,000 in scholarships, and with the right attitude of excitement to return to New York and continue the amazing work she has done. As much as we would have LOVED for her to win Miss America, we sure are lucky to keep her in New York!

Miss America 2012, Laura Kaeppler, from Wisconsin is a stunning beauty and talented singer with a motivating story and platform that will tie in so well with Miss America’s strong initiatives of emphasizing education. According to Cris Crotz, Miss NV 2011 who was in the press conference, “She’s just COOOL,” and Kim Sawyer, Miss WI 2011 (to whom Laura was 2^nd RU last year) vouches that Laura is going to be an amazing Miss America, with a great head on her shoulders and humility to keep it all in perspective. Huge congratulations to Laura, Wisconsin, and the Miss America Organization!!

Some of the results:

Miss DC Ashley Boalch – Non-Finalist Interview

Miss HI Lauren Cheape – Prelim Talent, NF Talent, Quality of Life Finalist

Miss KY Ann-Blair Thornton – Quality of Life Winner

Miss NE Kayla Batt – NF Talent, Miss Congeniality

Miss OH Ellen Bryan – Quality of Life Finalist, raised over $35,000 for CMN

Miss UT Danica Olsen – Prelim Swimsuit

Miss WA Brittany Henry – NF Talent

Top 15

Miss AL Courtney Porter

Miss NC Hailey Best – CMN Miracle Maker (raised over $40,000)

Miss VA Elizabeth Crot

Top 12

Miss FL Christina Janolo

Miss SC Bree Boyce

Top 10

Miss IA Jessica Pray

Miss IL Hannah Smith

Miss LA Hope Anderson

Miss TN Erin Hartley

Miss TX Kendall Morris – Prelim Swimsuit

Top 5

Miss CA Noelle Freeman - 4^th Runner Up

Miss AZ Jennifer Feldman – 3^rd Runner Up

Miss NY Kaitlin Monte – 2^nd Runner Up, Prelim Swimsuit, Quality of Life Finalist

Miss OK Betty Thompson – 1^st Runner Up, Prelim Talent

Miss WI Laura Kaeppler – Miss America 2012, Prelim Talent

www.missamerica.org

Farewell Miss New York.

2012-01-18T21:56:00.000-08:00

Can you say “Farewell” six months later? Well I am.

So what happened? How come my blog just stopped after my last appearance?

Things got a little busy.

As I finished up my year of appearances as Miss New York, I jumped right into the crazy Miss New York week, working hard to help prepare the contestants as much as possible, keep the website updated with photos, write and create my farewell speech and video, all the while keeping some sort of emotional stability. Then after Miss New York week, life happened.

The week was incredible and a great way to end my year, knowing that I was going to pass on my title to someone very deserving. With a move to Staten Island, the pageant had a lot of unknowns. What we do know now is that moving was the best decision ever. We had incredible support from SI, fantastic appearances, a gorgeous theater and major promotion. The competition was very impressive with girls really stepping up to the plate.

Meanwhile, some other big things were happening in the state of New York—marriage equality was becoming a reality. On Friday night before I gave up my title, the House of Representatives passed marriage equality in NY. I was invited back to MSNBC with Thomas Roberts for a guest appearance to wrap up my year and share in the excitement of progress for LGBT people in NY.

On Saturday morning, the morning I gave up my title, the tears began. It was when I was describing to the girls what an incredible opportunity they all had in front of them. One was meant to be Miss New York 2011, others were meant to be doctors, teachers, students, wives and moms. It changed my life completely, and it was about to change one of theirs.

In true Claire Buffie fashion, I was so busy that I procrastinated on my farewell but of course wanted to make it PERFECT. Working up until the last minute (at the parade on Saturday), I finished it. In an empty theatre, I rehearsed my farewell: a short dance that included movements from each dance I’ve done in my five years in MAO, with photos of the four years before I won, followed by a slideshow and speech you’ll see below. It was all to the music of Scott Alan “The Distance You Have Come,” a song I almost danced to at Miss America, a song that Scott sang live at my send-off party and the song that perfectly sums up my journey in the Miss America Organization. Walking out in my evening gown for that final walk was an incredible moment (no tears in the real show!), thinking back over the last year of wonderful memories, opportunities, and moments in which I witnessed real and lasting change.

Kenny Mack presented me with a beautiful proclamation from Governor Andrew Cuomo recognizing my commitment to equality and I was later sent a proclamation from the City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. All of the legislators who wanted to be there to present it were in Albany, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. They were finishing up what all of our hard work was focused on. They finished what every child, every person, needs in order to be equal and fairly supported by our laws. The next week, one year after I was crowned Miss New York 2010, marriage equality passed in the state of New York. What. A. Year.

That night I crowned Kaitlin Monte, of Rochester, NY, and she has been knocking my socks off ever since. I write this blog on the plane to Las Vegas where I’ll cheer her on at Miss America 2012 and have a reunion with my Miss America sisters. Kaitlin has been an unbelievable Miss New York with a dedication to anti-bullying with her platform and a general mission to continue moving the Miss New York Organization forward.

I put all my words into my farewell letter and the slideshow/speech below. I hope that you enjoy.

Farewell Miss New York.
______________________________

My mom said when she enlarges the farewell letter, she still can't read it, so making the very long blogpost I was trying to avoid, here is what the letter says:

Saying goodbye is something I’ve never been very good at, but it is something I have done a few important times in my life in order to chase my dreams and take every opportunity to achieve them. It’s what brought me here—here to New York and here to this stage. This year, I accomplished so many goals because of the incredible opportunities I had as Miss New York. It has been a year of a lot of hard work and dedication, some stumbles and falls, life-defining experiences, times of gut-wrenching laughter, the same extreme of tears, and undeniable growth as a person, a friend, a communicator – both speaker and listener – a sister and daughter, and of course as an advocate. I have found my passion; I have found myself; I have found so many others; I have found my purpose.

All of these experiences and revelations could not have affected me to the extent that they did without the people who influenced me and impacted my year…

Over the last few years, I have kept a journal of random inspirational quotes. When I first open the first page, I see in large capitol letters, “I WON THE PARENT LOTTERY.” –Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture. Mom and Dad, (wow, cue tears…) I did. Thank you for your immeasurable gifts as leaders, as servants, as friends and as backbones. You have afforded me opportunity after opportunity, but more importantly, you have provided me with the freedom to be independent, the values and upbringing to be a confident leader, and you have held me accountable for my actions and their effect on the world around me, constantly challenging me to use them for positive change.

Sarah, you have been my inspiration. Thank you for being so confident in yourself and open such that I—we—could have the maximum effect this year and throughout continuing advocacy. I have been constantly motivated by your spirit and positive outlook on the world. Hannah, you have kept me grounded, reminding me that “Miss NY is not a title that guarantees great things or great change. It’s the person who does so.” Sean and Danielle, you have brought something else into my life – balance and normalcy. Pride and excitement aside, your dedication to your family in the midst of building your own is inspiring, and Logan makes me smile every time I get overwhelmed or frustrated.

To the Miss New York Board of Directors: you keep me busy. But in this, you have allowed me to give back in the way that you know I crave. You have given me incredible freedom to make this year the most personal and the best for me as an individual, encouraging my authenticity in preparation for Miss America and in helping to lead this organization forward. Paul, you just have a heart that is unmatched. Linda, you have a humor that never fails to entertain as well as such a sincere dedication to this organization. Kenny, you were able to give me continuity in a rebuilding and transitional year and grow this organization with its exciting move to SI, and I will never forget the Hamptons. Faith, I know I owe you a phone bill and a stress-releasing massage for the hundreds of conversations we have had together – Dreamweaver and Photoshop aside. Judy and Diane, thank you for your countless emails and phone calls back and forth with so many different organizations and schools to help me spread my message to the maximum amount of people. And to the number of other volunteers—Ken, Gene, Kelli, Barbara, Jim, Terry, Bill, Marylou, Jackie, Local Executive Directors and many more—you at times go seemingly unnoticed, but I am so thankful for the value that you bring to this organization and the support you weave into our sometimes tangled web.

Leigh-Taylor, you have truly covered the gamut from idol to friend, mentor, roommate and ‘sister.’ I am eternally grateful for your endless hours of support that went beyond interview preparation and back to our couch, day in and day out. You challenged me to go so far beyond the goals I had in sight and to be a voice on behalf of those who are smothered by stigma and stereotype.

Thank you to Kandice and Hannah – women who have understood the journey to Miss America and imparted their wisdom on my own…with fashion expertise (and champagne) along the way. And to my roommates Carlie and Matt, thank you for putting up with so much pageant, believing in me and supporting me pride from the beginning – literally since my very first pageant when I wore your dress, Carlie.

I received the advice to keep my “team” small, just to the people who had the most positive influence one, and I did. But my pageant family and my inspiration was large. From years of involvement in MAO, I have developed the most incredible cheering squad from New York, Indiana, DC, Tennessee, New Jersey, Michigan, Virginia and constantly increasing to more. I am so thankful for the light that you all bring into my life. What grew even more insanely large was my group of allies and support of my platform Straight for Equality: Let’s Talk. I cannot even begin to name all of the organizations and people with whom I have worked this year (see p. __)

but these numerous individuals and non-profits have been the foundation of my year and my channels for change, leadership and advocacy. Within the pageant world, so many said I should change my platform if I wanted to even think about winning, but every single one of the organizations I have worked with empowered me and reminded me of exactly why I could and should succeed with such a message of equality and fundamental respect and dignity.

To my Miss America sisters, Alyse, Katie U., Arianna, Adrienne, Emoly, Katie L., Cris, Pauli, Nicole, Loren R., Caroline & Ashleigh…we have experienced unbelievable things together, and I am forever grateful for our growing friendships. To my Miss Americas Katie Stam, Kirsten Haglund, Kate Shindle & Heather French Henry, thank you for being inspirations and giving invaluable insight into the realities of this ethereal yet seemingly attainable dream.

After reading countless emails and Facebook messages of thanks, sharing and inspiration, and beyond writing more than 115 blogs, I write my final farewell to a journey of actually five years: one I know is not ending but instead being redirected on a different path. I will never leave the Miss America Organization (sorry, you’re stuck with me!), because I want more than anything to empower every young woman to get everything out of this organization and experience that she can. It can and will change your life, but I believe the world is cyclical – you get out of it what you put into it. ‘Tis true about the job of Miss New York: “It’s not about how to achieve your dreams…it’s about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you.”

“Wow, that is the epitome of a person appreciating this day and this moment.” BE THAT PERSON. This is how I challenged myself in my journal, and it is what sustained me throughout the year. Even with that effort, because of the magnitude of the experiences I have had this year, I still do not think I have or perhaps ever will comprehend what and whom I encountered. I may never realize the effect I had on others, but they will most certainly never realize the effect they have had on me. The legacy I hope to leave behind, holding authenticity in highest regard, is not because the stand I took this year in my advocacy was “groundbreaking” but instead because those actions, the compassion, the drive was all part of “the right thing to do.”

As Miss Southeast NY, in my interview for MNY 2010, I said “Regardless of whether or not I win Miss New York, I will continue in my advocacy with or without the crown.” That is exactly what I plan to do by pursuing a Master’s degree and career path that will continually challenge my growth and strength as a leader in this fight for equality, riding on the momentum created by this sparkly headpiece that has taken me beyond what I thought I was capable of this year and into the hearts and minds of so many people beyond this place I call home, placing me at “the national dinner table” because after all, “Nothing was taboo at the Buffie dinner table.”

Peace,

Claire Buffie

Miss New York 2010

The last one: QSAC Fundraiser

2011-08-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

My last appearance was the evening I returned from Buffalo – straight from the airport! with QSAC: Quality Services for Autism. I met "Charlie the Matchmaker" at a Straight Talk event with dot429 and he introduced me to his husband Gary Maffei, founder of QSAC. I presented an award to one of their corporate sponsors, but also receiving an award that night was Richard Oceguera, President of the New York Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NYGLCC), and organization that has been supportive of me this year, including their donation to my Miss America ad in the program book. This was a great way to end my year, once again realizing that just because there are LGBT people supporting a cause, it does not make it a “gay” event. It is because they are people supporting human causes.

But don’t get me wrong, that room did enjoy the sash J

In the few days I had left as Miss New York, I spent my time on Long Island at my friends’ house – Eric and Walter – to relax, reflect, write my farewell and finish planning the logistics of Mr. New York. Since I was a “homeless vagabond” the last two weeks of Miss New York (My lease was up May 31 and I was traveling so much at the end of Miss NY and after, there was no reason to spend thousands of dollars on a NYC apt I was barely living in!) I was very thankful for Eric and Walter opening their home to me as my own.

I witnessed a beautiful, beautiful thing that weekend. In the two years I’ve known them – they do the musical at Hewlett HS that I choreographed after Walter judged me in Miss Jubilee – we have of course talked about my service and platform as Miss NY, but I had heard Walt say before, “I don’t need the state to tell me that I’m married. I know that we have a home together, a life together, and it’s just fine the way it is. Neither of us are going anywhere.” Interesting perspective for someone who has been in a relationship for many years. But something changed; something evolved. And through my conversations with Walt, he started the Human Rights Club at the high school, has become more open about answering students’ questions, and has realized, he needs to be married to Eric. They say it’s because of me. I say it’s because they are two people who love each other unconditionally with eternal commitment. Both musicians, we went in the piano room and Eric played piano as Walter sang “their” song. Tears. Heck, I’m getting teary-eyed now and this moment was two and a half months ago. I was a mess – but not sad tears – happy tears! Another realization of what “marriage” means to some people, but what a relationship truly is.

When marriage passed in NY two weeks later, Walter texted me, “Thank you. We’re getting married December 31.” More tears.

Finally to Western NY!!

2011-08-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

One thing I wanted to do during my reign as Miss New York was focus on traveling to Western NY. Miss NY has not had a strong presence there, and we are missing out on so much. So I contacted the local titleholders in the Buffalo and Rochester areas and we went to town. I was so impressed by Desiree Wiley, Miss Buffalo 2010, from whom I immediately received an email CC’d to me through the superintendent of schools in Lockport as well as a few other area school districts. Katie Martin, former Miss Greater Rochester and now co-executive director, contacted some Rochester area schools as well. Since JetBlue had so graciously offered to fly me anywhere to talk about my platform, I took them up on it! So the trip went a little like this: Sunday straight from Queens PRIDE, I flew JetBlue to Buffalo, NY where Desiree hosted me for the few days.

Monday we spoke at Lockport High School in multiple assemblies, covering their entire 1,600+ student body, focusing on diversity, bullying and acceptance. Desiree was able to share that as a recent Lockport grad, she has already accomplished great things as Miss Buffalo and they were able to accomplish what they set their mind to as well! At the end of one of the presentations, a senior girl came up to me to say “Thank you” and invited me to the G/SA meeting that afternoon. When I went to the meeting I was so excited to find that it was actually their last meeting – what a way to celebrate! We had fascinating conversation about the role of youth in this civil rights movement as well as the shifting climate in schools that makes sexual orientation a bit less of an issue, however still reliving some important stories that should not be hidden to the public about bullying.

Desiree and me with the Lockport HS Principal

Lockport HS Final Gay/Straight Alliance meeting

In between the assemblies and the G/SA meeting, we were able to sneak away for a trip to Niagara Falls. I hadn’t been since 2006, so it was exciting to be able to return! Of course we had to take one picture with our crowns and sashes on and boy did that draw a cute crowd! People were sooo excited to meeting Miss Buffalo and Miss New York and one lady even told me about how excited she was last year to meet Miss America Caressa Cameron at an event! We had a family cookout that night where I got to experience just regular life with the Wiley’s friends and family.

Miss America fans!

with my hosts, the Wiley Family!

Tuesday, we went to Rochester to Golisano Medical Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center at Strong Hospital where we were joined by Chelsea Prophet, Miss Greater Rochester 2011. In the play room, we had arts and crafts time, made frames and had some great talks with the kids there. With Desiree’s platform of organ, eye, tissue and blood donation, she was able to connect with some special kids who were there in that play room because of a donated organ. And since we were all dancers, that was a topic of conversation as well. I’m glad that we made such an impact on Golisano Hospital as Kaitlin Monte, Miss NY 2011 has already been able to go back! In fact, she went on an upstate CMN Hospital tour – take a look on her blog HERE. We returned to Buffalo for some media interviews which you can see featured HERE on the front page of the newspaper.

The next day in Buffalo, we had a meeting with Senator Tim Kennedy. I met the Senator in Albany on a lobby day and he was so excited to bring Miss NY to Buffalo and share experiences from the marriage equality trail. He is an upstanding Senator who has been very supportive and vocal about marriage equality, regardless of it’s potential effect on his political standing and/or race. After hearing from me, and also hearing of Desiree’s involvement with her platform (he had a blood drive set for the following Saturday!), he said to consider him a partner of the Miss New York Organization and became and Elite 100 Donor to the Empire State Scholarship Education Fund. I’d say overall it was a very successful trip! Taking this trip to Western NY allowed me to check off my wish list as Miss New York and I’m very grateful for all who helped to make it possible and especially to the Wiley family for hosting my stay.

Senator Tim Kennedy, Buffalo

Happy PRIDE Month!! (uggh so late.)

2011-08-27T22:36:00.000-07:00

PRIDE MONTH!!!! (lame, I’m sooo late. But I tweeted lots about it when we were actually IN the month of June) Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that June was probably a pretty big month for me with my platform, right at the end of my reign as Miss New York.

I was reminded of my Queens and Staten Island PRIDE events this week when I got an email of photos from a woman, Laura, whom I met at Queens PRIDE. She has sent me a pin that is a rainbow colored high heel. Could you represent my year as Miss New York any more perfectly?! Love it. To finally wrap up on my Miss NY year so that I can get this book of my year printed, AND start blogging as “Just Claire” here’s one final push at finishing my year of service.

After kicking off PRIDE Month at PepsiCo, it was on to the real celebration of PRIDE Parades. Now these parades have indeed caught flak before; I believe it was Carl Paladino who referenced them as “bumping and grinding…disgusting” and “speedo-wearing men with gyrating movements.” I’m sure there was a “leather” reference in there somewhere. Well stereotypes do come from some example, but are generalizations that are detrimental and limiting to any group. Instead, at Staten Island PRIDE where I served as the Grand Marshall, there was a fairly small group of people, many youth and very diverse minorities were represented. Christopher Hines, a producer who was filming a documentary for Logo, joined me at SI PRIDE to get a taste of the reception the community has for Miss New York. I’ve just received word that I am “prominently featured” in the film, which will release in October. I’m excited to see the support and highlights of exciting straight allies like myself, Hudson Taylor, Ben Cohen and more. At the festival, we heard from many politicians in support of equality and I of course signed quite a handful of autographs. It was great to see Kim Cantoni, Miss Liberty 2011, and Jim Smith, Executive Director of Miss Staten and the 2005 Grand Marshall of SI PRIDE!

Kim Cantoni and Jim Smith, ED of Miss Staten Island and the 1st Staten Island Grand Marshal

Danny Dromm, City Councilman

Matt Titone, NY State Assemblyman

The next day, Queens PRIDE really went above and beyond! Danny Dromm, out City Council member, started Queens PRIDE years ago and it has grown exponentially since. I was a co-Grand Marshal with State Senator Tony Avella. Unfortunately, I was only able to stay for the parade and lunch and did not get to visit in the festival because I was flying to Buffalo, but it was such a wonderful afternoon and I most certainly did not want to leave! I ate lunch with a few young people who were interning with Christine Quinn because they wanted to be advocates for social justice. So cool. And once again, negative stereotypes of PRIDE parades were proven wrong – instead crowds of loving and supportive people, in jeans and t-shirts nonetheless, celebrating equality and supporting their forward, fair-minded politicians.

with my Queens PRIDE drivers

Tony Avella, Co-Grand Marsal, NY State Senator

Tom Duane, NY State Senator

What we have to remember is that the Pride parade is one day, and Pride month is one month, June, but we must celebrate people all day and every day. This year’s Pride month in New York was especially energetic because of the momentum in the fight for Marriage Equality. Unfortunately, I was not able to march in the NYC Pride Parade because I was a surprise guest at Miss North Carolina, but I’m pretty sure I could hear the celebration, the day after Marriage Equality was passed in New York State!! Now that is something to celebrate with huge PRIDE, excitement and love!

I did experience a first at this parade though that I have to share. So I’m sitting up on the back of a white Mustang convertible - very nice – ready to start the parade when the car behind us dies. So with me still on the top we pull forward, reverse back, wind around the car and then proceed to jump the car with cables. In case you weren’t picturing it funny enough in your mind, here’s a look. What an experience – one every pageant girl must have. ;-)

Hudson Taylor and Athlete Ally

2011-07-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

Many of you have probably noticed two very attractive men in many of my photos….Thomas Roberts and Hudson Taylor. Sorry ladies and gentlemen – both taken. ;-) Thomas got his time to shine in my blogs; on to Hudson. Hudson Taylor is a quickly rising face of equality in sports, a leader in this movement of respecting diversity, and a fearless straight ally whom I admire and am proud to call a friend.

I met Hudson at the PFLAG National Straight for Equality dinner when he was the recipient of the SfE in Sports Award. He graduated from the University of Maryland as a Division I three-time All-American wrestler in 2010 and currently ranks among the top-five pinners in NCAA history. He's now a wrestling coach at Columbia University. He is also the founder of Athlete Ally, his non-profit that raises awareness of equality on sports, holds athletes, coaches and fans accountable through his mission and pledge, and emphasizes the importance of straight allies in the locker room who allow LGBTQ athletes to feel safe, supported and equal contributors of the team without bias or discrimination.

I was able to join Hudson and his beautiful fiancé Lia on the trip down to Asbury Park, NJ for the first fundraiser for Athlete Ally. We had a great turnout of supporters, lawyers and politicians, sponsored by the pro-bono law firm who works with Athlete Ally’s legal work. It was amazing to hear the influence that the voice of a 23-year-old straight athlete can and has had on adults and their openness about their own sexual orientation. The cool thing about Hudson is that he doesn’t have a family member and did not have close friends who were gay. Instead, he saw this respect and support of people as equals regardless of their orientation or expression as the right thing to do. It IS the right thing to do. You can support Athlete Ally by visiting the website www.athleteally.com, taking the pledge and sharing with your community’s coaches and athletes in order to make the locker rooms and the fields safe for everyone.

I pledge to lead my athletic community to respect and welcome all persons, regardless of their perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Beginning right now, I will do my part to promote the best of athletics by making all players feel respected on and off the field.

Twitter: @AthleteAlly | Facebook | YouTube

PepsiCo EQUAL

2011-07-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

Ok, so life went on, and blogosphere got stuck in one place for me. Apologies. I wanted to still fill you in on what happened at the end of my year as Miss NY. AND, I’m a detail-oriented person and can’t just skip to the Miss NY farewell and reflection part without finishing up the blogs.

Just before I gave up my title, I went to Purchase, NY to speak at the PepsiCo headquarters to celebrate June 1^st, the beginning of Pride Month with their LGBT affinity group, EQUAL. Attending were many more people than just the group – people from their mailing list who came just to hear the talk. Similar to UBS, we talked about normalcy in the workplace – the ability to stop at the copy machine and speak openly about a weekend trip to the Hamptons with your significant other, or the ability to place a framed photo on your desk and not have to say “uhh, yes, that’s my cousin or best friend.” I loved glancing down at this part of my speech because I was able to recognize Patrice, a woman I had spent some time with before my presentation, who had a framed picture of her and her wife not only on her desk, but facing outward towards those visiting her. It is such a small thing, but a power statement of equality in the workplace.

I had a great time a PepsiCo and was introduced further to the need and availability of corporate Diversity and Inclusion job prospective. As I get ready to go to Georgetown University for my Masters in Public Relations and Corporate Communications, I believe this will prepare me for opportunities in that field. Thank you to Lori for arranging this appearance, Patrice for wonderful conversation AND my PepsiCo exercise ball, and to all of those who attended and who strive for equality in the workplace at Pepsi. Oh, and for my honorary softball team membership J

Also, as a little fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and furthering our partnership with Costco for Miss New York week sponsorship, Kimberly Cantoni, Miss Liberty, and I signed autographs and took lots of photos at the Staten Island Costco. Yet another way to engage the local community and get them excited for the pageant's new home!

#NY4Marriage

2011-06-11T06:24:00.000-07:00

You've seen it on my twitter (@clairebuff) many times as I have retweeted and posted some of my favorite videos for Marriage Equality by the Human Rights Campaign. Here's another....well and maybe a few more favs while I'm at it :)

Broadway Actors for Marriage Equality -- GO Broadway Impact! Jenny, Rory & Gavin!

Vanessa Williams - former Miss NY & Miss America!

Sean Avery - NY Rangers Hockey Player

And of course, every day New Yorkers -- 58% of them.

Oh yeah... and I did one too :)

Miss New York Announces Top 11!

2011-06-10T20:12:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Miss New York Organization is happy to announce that there will be a TOP 11 announced on Saturday June 18, 2011 in the final night of competition for Miss New York at The St. George Theater.

The contestant receiving the highest number of FAVORITE CONTESTANT votes will make this year's TOP 11 and have a chance to compete to become Miss NY 2011.

To Vote click here: http://missny.org/2011Pageant/votefav.html

Votes are only $1.00 each, but you may vote as many times or in whatever quantity you want! Voting will close Friday evening, June 17th, following the Miss NY Preliminary. Voting will be available at the St. George before and during intermission at the Friday night show. The 2011 favorite contestant will be announced at the Miss NY Gala where she will receive an additional scholarship for this award.

It will not be announced during the Miss NY finals, who the favorite contestant is.....this will add greatly to the excitement of the Miss NY Competition.

Spread the word and GET OUT THE VOTE!!!

"A picture is worth a thousand words."

2011-06-10T17:44:00.000-07:00

Yes it is. I'm so happy to share with you my official Miss New York program book photoshoot by the awesome Andrew Werner. I had a vision; he captured it and has given me the most beautiful gifts of memories from this year. Enjoy!

ALL PHOTOS BY ANDREW WERNER PHOTOGRAPHY

NY1 Interview & Lambda Literary Awards

2011-06-10T17:30:00.000-07:00

We are getting all sorts of amazing media and press on Staten Island with the Miss New York pageant week quickly approaching! Thursday, May 26, I was joined by Amanda Alicea, Miss Richmond County and Maria DeSantis, Miss Staten Island for a promo filming at NY1.

Watch video HERE

Then later that evening, I was an awards presenter at the Lambda Literary Awards in New York City. Hosted by Lea DeLaria, who was absolutely hysterical, the awards featured writers and poets from across the country who either are LGBT or write about LGBT characters. Because they were all artists with their words, the acceptance speeches were in a different league of creativity. With a bit of irony as a straight and now single person, I presented the categories of Gay Romance and Lesbian Romance. It was a very cool night, and I met some fantastic people!

Lambda Literary Foundation Executive Director, Tony Valenzuela

Mr. Gay USA Eddie Rabon

The hilarious Lea DeLaria

GLSEN Respect Awards & Great Neck MS

2011-06-10T17:14:00.000-07:00

Monday, May 23 (I know, I'm way behind) I went to the GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) 2011 Respect Awards. This awesome event was hosted by one of my favorites, Wilson Cruz, and recognized country singer Chely Wright as the Inspiration Award Winner among other honorees - Read more HERE. I had a great time just attending as a special guest with my +1 and fantastic date Kaitlin Davis. We heard many inspirational stories of the night, but the release of the Think Before You Speak campaign and GLSEN’s “Changing the Game” initiative was one of my favorite parts. Check out the PSA featuring Phoenix Suns’ Grant Hill and Jared Dudley.

We even had some fun crowning Wilson :)

Inspired by the Respect Awards, the next day I went out to Long Island to visit Great Neck Middle School North. Great Neck MS South was one of my first schools as Miss NY, so it was fun to bring this year full circle. After three presentations, lots of autograph signing and picture taking, the G/SA had me take a photo with their "Think Before You Speak" campaign.

I delivered a sermon...in Arkansas.

2011-06-04T19:13:00.000-07:00

When I got the text message, “What are you religious views?” from my business manager, I was quite confused to say the least. My first reaction was that they aren’t beliefs that can be explained in a simple text message because my faith and spirituality have evolved from my upbringing in the Methodist church and progressed with my life experiences. Judy told me that I had been requested to deliver a message about my platform at a church in Arkansas. And with this news, I immediately picked up the phone to call Alyse, Miss Arkansas, and my roommate at Miss America. Just as shocked as I was, we were both very excited for this appearance, something no one saw coming this year with my platform. But this is the reason I loved it even more.

I am fascinated by religion and spirituality and the coexistence of ‘religion’ and homosexuality. I am incredibly grateful for the unique opportunity to touch every facet of these issues and reach a new audience in the beautiful south of Arkansas. Mountain Song Fellowship Church is a small non-denominational congregation that is coming under the United Church of Christ. Led by Rev. Jerry Cook, a quiet but passionate servant and leader, the church is so warm and inviting. On the given Sunday I was there, it was wonderful to see new people who came to the church from as far as four hours away just to hear me speak. They gave me a key to the city of Fayetteville and beautiful roses with the most touching introduction.

I knew there were parts of my message that would potentially be emotional (for anyone who really knows me, when am I not potentially emotional…) but man, after this introduction, I was already in tears. Rev. Cook made mention of his heros, people like Mother Theresa and Billy Graham, and said that he had found a new hero in me. Wow. From states away, the power of my message and my actions had reached him in such a deep way and was an inspirational reminder to never stop standing up for what I believe in and taking every opportunity to share it. In and out of tears, I delivered my prepared message, some of which I will share below…

"I grew up in a Methodist church where a week never went by where any of us – six in total – missed the 8:30 contemporary service, Sunday school and on most Sundays, youth group. Sermon after sermon, hymn after hymn, we worshiped and listened to messages about one of the greatest commandments to “love your neighbor as yourself” and we were taught and encouraged to give selflessly and be a servant to others – all others. This word “all” carries great meaning. To me, it truly means all – people whom I love, people whom I have never met, people who are the same as I, people who are different than I. I never understood all to exclude anyone. Yet now, there is a chasm between the church that preaches inclusivity and acceptance and the advocates who fight for universal respect and equality.

With so many people struggling with both internal and external or public discovery of their sexual orientation, how that can coexist with their faith, and how they are treated as second-class citizens under the law, people need to hear our prayers, yes. But more than that, I believe that people need to hear our voices. They need to hear that religion, faith, spirituality, Christianity, Christian values, can and do coexist with the values of respect and equality for all people, including our LGBT brothers and sisters. In fact, I believe it to be one of the most fundamental lessons I have learned from the Bible in my upbringing: to live without judgment and instead as a light, spreading love to others with acceptance and respect. In Equality Magazine, I read the most perfect title: The antidote to the conservative Christian right is a vocal, faithful and supportive left. Religion and faith are each completely unique to every single one of us. Perhaps as unique as the relationships we have with others, significant others or family and friends. The uniting principle that runs as a common thread throughout all of those relationships, with others, with ourselves and with our God or higher power, is love.

Love is not something to be regulated by the government or the church. Love is something we all deserve, need and should have the freedom to express. In the last fifteen minutes, I have not spoken extensively about the freedom to marry because I don’t think that it’s the foundation of this fight. It is the product of this battle or civil rights movement. The foundation is in respect, dignity and true equality for all people. The foundation is built upon morals and values, whether driven by your teachings of Jesus or teachings of mom and dad, that are inclusive and respectful of all people. When we can tread fearlessly on this foundation, that freedom to marry will naturally become accepted. We can't just change laws. We have to change people’s hearts and minds through personal testimony and example so that we can all coexist equally in the eyes of each other that will finally reflect the lens through which God sees all of His children."

I was so happy to have my parents join me in this experience in Arkansas. AND we got to head down a few days early for some much needed R&R in a cabin, hiking in Devil's Den and watching lots of movies :)

I am a New Yorker for Marriage Equality

2011-06-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

OK I can't believe this came while I was traveling in Arkansas which made me unable to really promote it. When I was in Washington, D.C. with the Top 12 of Miss America in March, I met with the Human Rights Campaign, spoke with their staff and interns and filmed this PSA. Had to keep it quiet for a while, but I am now so proud to share the video with you all. I am honored to be a part of the New Yorkers for Marriage Equality series that has featured many incredible leaders, celebrities, politicos and every day people. My Miss New York sister Vanessa Williams just joined the series as well. I think you might have heard of her :)

Miss New York Joins HRC’s New Yorkers for Marriage Equality Campaign

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By Charlie Joughin
May 20th, 2011 at 10:57 am

2010 Miss New York, Claire Buffie, has filmed a video for HRC’s New Yorkers for Marriage Equality Campaign. In the video, Buffie describes marriage equality as a “fundamental fight for fairness,” and how she competed in Miss America 2010 on an LGBT rights platform. The campaign, which raises the public profile of marriage equality in the Empire State, can be viewed online at www.hrc.org/NY4marriage.

Claire’s platform as Miss New York has been LGBT equality and has traveled the state promoting fairness. She has spoken to fellow New Yorkers, appeared in PSA’s, and lobbied members of the state legislature and has been a wonderful straight ally to the LGBT community.

A recent poll released by Siena Research Institute shows public opinion continues to trend toward marriage equality in New York State with a record high of 58 percent support and a record low of 36 percent opposition.

The New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign is centered on video testimonials from New Yorkers who support the right of same-sex couples to marry. To date, HRC has released videos from Miss New York, Anna Wintour, Larry King, Sean Avery, Julianna Margulies, Bill T. Jones, Sam Waterston, Christopher Meloni, Mario Batali, David Chang, Tom Colicchio, Lucy Liu, Bill Bratton and Rikki Klieman, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Former New York City Mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins, Russell Simmons, Mark and Sunrise Ruffalo, John Slattery, Joan Rivers, Barbara Bush, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon, Fran Drescher, Moby, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, Julianne Moore and Kenneth Cole – with more to follow in the coming weeks.

Miss New York Joins HRC’s New Yorkers for Marriage Equality Campaign

HRC BackStory, May 20, 2011

AIDS Walk NYC | Impact Red

2011-05-28T15:10:00.000-07:00

AIDS Walk NYC is an enormous event that rain or shine, brings together 45,000+ people who all walk for different reasons. I walk because I constantly fight to destigmatize people and groups who are treated differently or disrespected by society. I walk for someone special, and he knows who he is. This year, I walked with Impact Red, a team founded by Tyler Helms, who one year ago, disclosed his HIV+ status on his Facebook status. And his world was turned upside-down. Since that moment, 355 people have shared their status with him in confidence, admitting that they have not and will not tell anyone else and have not sought medical care for fear of mistreatment, disrespect or denial of service. Impact Red’s byline is Conversation + Awareness + Change -- a perfect match with what I advocate for – opening dialogue about something that’s sometimes scary and misunderstood and therefore pushed aside in order to create awareness and educate people to affect positive change. I am honored to be a part of the Impact. Watch Tyler’s story HERE.

Tyler Helms, Founder Impact Red

Impact Red was the AIDS Walk NYC’s featured team this year, who set a goal of $100,000 in fundraising, and surpassed it. At about $64,000 in online fundraising, Thursday night after my day in Staten Island, I went straight to the Impact Red fundraiser at La Pomme where a huge crowd gathered to support Impact Red. By the end of the night, they were nearing $100,000 and made a final push that took them over their goal. It was really fun to spend this evening with Kandice Pelletier (who introduced me to Impact Red), Jackie Swerz, and Katie Berry, a Miss NJ contestant with an AIDS Awareness platform.

Gossip Girl anyone? Thanks for your support, Matt

Sunday, someone even more special joined me for the AIDS Walk – my sister, Sarah! In town for my birthday weekend, Sarah got to come to the AIDS Walk opening ceremonies with me, experience the crowd of thousands gathered in Central Park, witness the incredible celebrity and corporate support of this fundraiser, and hear a beautiful story of a woman who’s life has literally been saved by the work and support of GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis). She found out she was HIV+ and spent the next 14 years of her life hiding in her apartment, continuing to abuse drugs and not expose herself to the outside world. Two years ago, she found GMHC and was seeking treatment when she found out that each of those years she was hiding, her daughter was doing the AIDS Walk in her honor. Last year, they got to do the walk together, and this year she was on stage alongside the cast of Modern Family, Laura Innes from The Event, Matt Bomer from White Collar, the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Project Runway star Mondo and Audra McDonald. What an evolution. She starts college in the fall.

Modern Family "stretching"

Erik Bottcher, Sarah & me, Matthew Berritt from Impact Red

Sarah and me with Wilson Cruz - she was so excited to meet someone famous :)

After hearing Tyler’s story, he is now another reason why I walk. We all have different reasons, but this year alone, we came together to raise a total of $6,214,768 . That’s over six million dollars. Now that’s an Impact.

Could Mr. Vorheesville survive to become Mr. New York?

2011-05-27T21:52:00.000-07:00

Two years ago, Leigh-Taylor Smith Miss New York 2008, was invited to Mr. Vorheesville and didn’t exactly know what to expect. It was a pageant for high school boys as a fundraiser supporting the high school volleyball team and SADD – Students Against Destructive Decisions. Well, I’m glad she didn’t tell me too much about the event so that I could be as blown away as I was. I had a blast, let me tell you. 12 guys competed in a Survivor-themed opening number, casual wear, talent, evening wear and on-stage questions. The emcee was hysterical, constantly badgering Max to my right, Mr. Vorheesville 2009 (good choice Leigh-Taylor!), a clear crowd favorite.

this photo just captures so much -- this kid was hilarious!

talents as unique as the unicycle

evening wear with their escorts - perhaps this is why JD won

Judging was hard! I guess it set me up for this summer… Your Mr. Vorheesville 2010 is JD, a soccer- and baseball-playing, sports-loving gentleman with a cool swagger and heartfelt preparation. Hey, I announced that he is more than welcome to come on down to compete in Mr. New York on June 13^th as our kick-off event of pageant week! We’ll see if he comes! The 7 hours I spent in the car with Linda Carbo were undoubtedly hilarious and awesome – the next girl is really in for a treat with this one J

me with all the Mr. Vorheesvilles - what great guys!

Here's an update for you -- Max Schuster, Mr. Vorheesville 2009 (far right) is an official contestant in Mr. New York 2011!

Great photos thanks to Mitchell Joyce Photography Flickr Album: Mr. Vorheesville

Staten Island Filming & Promos

2011-05-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

As the 2011 Miss New York State pageant week approaches in our new home of Staten Island, we are drumming up lots of press and media thanks to the Staten Island Advance and our volunteers and board members in community relations there on the Island. Thursday, following a wonderful lunch at the Staten Island Rotary Club, we had a really great opportunity for eight of the Miss New York contestants to join me, Kenny Mack (Executive Director) and Al Lambert, Staten Island celeb and musician, to record a 30-minute segment to be aired on cable networks in Staten Island, Manhattan and Brooklyn in the month leading up to the pageant. I believe it’s so important to emphasize the number of women in this organization rather than just focusing on the one representative of Miss America or of the state titleholder.

· Miss NYC, Hannah Wright, spoke about the integration of her talent as a Juilliard dancer into her platform of empowering youth through dance as well as the fact that the Miss America Organization has awarded her over $10,000 in scholarships that afford her the ability to attend such a prestigious school.
· Miss Queens, Nardeen Billan, spoke of bringing her culture and heritage to the Miss NY stage through belly dancing and the excitement of pageantry back to her family. She gave us a little insight on her Mr. New York contestant – her boyfriend!
· Miss Kings County, Carmen Mendoza, talked about her personal platform “Destigmatizing Getting Tested” about HIV/AIDS awareness and knowing your status. And did you know, Salsa dance, her talent for Miss NY, kind of originated in New York clubs?
· Miss Five Boroughs, Kate Perkins, reflected on the excitement and challenges presented as a first-time competitor and how the organization has already influence her life. She even sang a little impromptu tune with Al.
· Miss Greater Gotham, Kasey Waters, admittedly discussed something that makes New York unique in the MAO, the fact that we draw contestants from many states, herself from North Carolina originally, because of the amount of young women who come to New York City especially to pursue dreams, careers and school. Kasey represents New York in addition to North Carolina, two of the nine states represented in this year’s contestants.
· Miss Liberty, Kim Cantoni, one of the three Staten Island girls in the competition this year, shared some of the exciting things we’ll be doing during the Miss New York week
· Miss Richmond County, Amanda Alicea, another Staten Islander, is a former Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen (one of 3 in the competition this year) and shared how the Outstanding Teen program for girls age 13-17 really feeds into the Miss New York Scholarship Program for women 18-24.
· And lastly, Miss Staten Island, Maria DeSantis, an obvious Staten Islander, shared in the excitement of bringing the state pageant to it’s new home in Staten Island at the St. George Theatre and acknowledged the incredible support and family-oriented community involvement of the Island’s residents, businesses, charitable organizations and politicians.

If this media experience was any taste of what the girls will be bringing to interview and the state competition, we’re in for a good year! I was really impressed by the way the girls stepped up with such enthusiasm on such short notice and represented the organization so well. Special thanks to Al Lambert and Terry Terrangelo for setting this up, Joel the camera guy from CTV and the Nicotras at the Hilton for allowing us to tape at our host hotel. I was able to take a tour of the entire Hilton – it’s huge! – and check out Lorenzo’s Cabaret where the Mr. New York Pageant will be held. So excited!

Equality + Justice Day

2011-05-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

Two years ago, I attended my first Equality + Justice Day with the Empire State Pride Agenda, and it marked my very first lobby day. Since, I have grown more involved, understanding political advocacy and my role in it as a constituent and now as a mini-celebrity. It was then that I first met Kate Hathaway and started to get to know some of the heavy hitters in the fight for marriage equality as well as the other bills and legislation necessary to fight for to achieve true equality. In 2009, I was a volunteer, attempting to give directions in the capitol building and the convention center. Since then, I have competed twice in Albany at the Egg Theatre and the University of Albany for Miss New York, spent much time exploring the capitol, meeting with senators and members of the Assembly and feel like I moreso know my way around. But more importantly, I know my way around a legislative meeting.

I was fortunate to attend some of our most crucial meetings with board members of the Pride Agenda, including Kate and Jerry Hathaway, led by Pride Agenda’s Executive Director, Ross Levi. We met with Senate Minority Leader Sen. Sampson, joined by Sen. Tom Duane, sponsor of the marriage bill in the Senate, Chief Political Officer of the Republican Party, Sen. Tim Libous, and then members of the board were able to meet with the supportive Governor Cuomo. There was much talk about the math and votes required to pass marriage when presented on the floor after a failed vote last January, with a circular finger-pointing and need for strategic development and stealth “attack.” Also a focus was GENDA, the civil rights bills protecting transgender people and gender expression. On both issues, marriage more than GENDA, New York is pretty much divided along party lines. This just means that your voice is even more important. Senators NEED to hear you say you support the right to marriage for ALL people. They NEED to hear you say “Thank you, you are doing the right thing by voting YES.” They NEED to hear you say, “I am your constituent and I urge you to vote on the side of fairness, respect and equality for all people with a YES vote in these next few weeks.”

At the rally in front of the statehouse, I was a featured speaker, opening up the rally. It was so neat to look out and see the amount of people there to lobby, from every walk of life, age, race, etc., under this unified movement for equality, and to see it from a different vantage point of the stage rather than the crowd this time around. You never know exactly how impactful you have been because of the walk-around/talk-around of politics, but I am confident that we are being heard, the pot is being stirred, and New York is closer to full equality than ever before.

Performers with a Purpose

2011-05-23T12:05:00.000-07:00

Miss Brooklyn impresses again! Yet another blog about an event produced by Christina Moore, Miss Brooklyn 2011, to support her platform Performers with a Purpose: Bringing Sarcoma Awareness Center State. Saturday, Performers with a Purpose was an evening that raised money for Sarcoma, the most rare form of cancer, by featuring hundreds of performers from the Bay Ridge/Brooklyn area. Before she was even Miss Brooklyn, Christina was teaching dance in public schools to students, kindergarten through middle school. The show opened with a huge production number of all of the kids Christina taught in their matching t-shirts, all part of the $4,500 of expenses that were donated to the event. I was brought back to my competition and recital days watching tons of dance studios perform as well as special performances by Miss NYC, Hannah Wright, and her fellow Juilliard dancer, Miss Manhattan, Mallory Hagan, and Miss Five Boroughs, Kate Perkins (singing). We met so many future Miss NY contestants and were able to promote the Miss New York Star Princess Program so much, even signing a few up, after they got our autographs, of course. Congrats once again to Christina on a job well done, gaining respect and admiration from your community and your Miss NY family and competitors.

On a total side note, I wasn’t wearing heels that night and was not able to perform my dance for the cause; instead I had my right foot wrapped. To explain, I have had a few biopsies and mole removals recently, with testing for melanoma. After four procedures, we have now [hopefully] gotten rid of all cancerous and pre-cancerous cells. This is thanks to my dermatology sponsor, Dr. Virgil Hatcher of Chelsea Dermatology and his referral to Dr. Ariel Ostad, who kindly extended my sponsorship to cover his medical care. So this sponsorship has been much more than relaxing facials and skincare, but it has helped me catch and hopefully now prevent my chances of developing skin cancer or melanoma. Seemingly vain or annoyed, I don’t love the two-inch scar on my back or the inconvenience of a healing hole in my foot when I’m trying to walk around and stand (in heels) at appearances, but I’d take it over skin cancer any day.

Friendfactor NY Launch Party

2011-05-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

I have blogged about Friendfactor before (READ HERE), but two weeks ago, Friendfactor made its official launch in NY with a big splash, recognized as a leader in the fight for marriage for all people in the state of New York. Now I don't wear my crown at all of my appearances, but they requested it, not just for pics, but the whole time; and it was really fun to see the people who were not only excited to meet Miss NY, but so grateful that I was there in support. Way more exciting than me though, were the celebrity hosts of the party including Chelsea Clinton, Kristen Bell, Mark Conseulos, and Andy Cohen. Steven Cohen was there representing the Governor and David Mixner was there for the ask. Most impressive, the founder of Friendfactor, Brian Elliot - genius ideas and someone who really took a leap of faith to start this organization that allows friends to support their friends in the fight for marriage. I had seen the Ff friendsetter pages (and I have one CLICK HERE) and the videos about how the website works, but it was so cool to see others' reactions, seeing it the first time.

Brian Elliot, Founder of Friendfactor

Chelsea Clinton

Kristen Bell

Mark said he and Kelly fought over who got to be Andy's date this night.

David Mixner

Ff Patty and Ron Zacchi, MENY

View some great press on the Ff Launch here:

Among Friends - New York Times
Chelsea Clinton: I Want My Kids to Grow Up With Marriage Equality - NY Magazine
Friendfactor, web-based LGBT Advocacy Group Launches; An interview with founder Brian Elliot; Remarks by Chelsea Clinton - Towleroad

Ff also released the new video promo project "Best. Wedding Gift. Ever." featuring Jesse Tyler Ferguson from Modern Family. Check it out! Hilarious.

Go to www.Friendfactor.org/WeddingGift to win Jesse's signed gift and to give your gay* friends in New York the Best. Wedding Gift. Ever. -- the freedom to marry the person they love.

Since it's inception and a huge thanks to that NY launch party, Friendfactor has raised over $200,000. We are on our way to marriage for all people in the state of NY. Make sure your senator knows the right way to vote. Don't know who your senator is or how to call them? Just visit my friendsetter page HERE and you will be connected to your senator by simply typing in your zip code.

Make a difference in this marriage fight; the opportunity could not be any easer. No excuses. Play like a champion.

Jetsetting...

2011-05-08T20:40:00.000-07:00

haha wellll kinda. By "jetsetting" I mean the Bolt Bus to Boston, then drive to Derry, New Hampshire, back to Boston and then fly to Orlando. But it was all sorts of a fun trip :)

Saturday, I took the trip up to Boston for a weekend full of changed and spontaneous plans (<-- irony?). First, I had an awesome lunch with Miss Massachusetts 2010 Loren Rabinowitz, who is awesome. Loren is one of the girls I left Miss America wishing I had gotten to know better. We just started hanging out towards the end when they really made an issue of the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry -- maybe that's because her intro was something to the idea of "From the state that roots for two teams: The Red Sox and anyone who's beating the Yankees, I'm Loren Rabinowitz, Miss Mass" (idk ask Miss CO for a direct translation...) I digress, again. Anyway, if you know me at all, you know that I'm fascinated by religion and the conversations surrounding it as well as the role it plays in our society. In our conversations about Loren being the only Jewish contestant in an organization that is unofficially, yet definitively and assumptively Christian, I was so intrigued. This girl is impressive -- as are many of my Miss America sisters -- but I'll give you a few reasons why: Olympic trainee in figure skating, 2 national championships, Harvard grad, semi-finalist at Miss MA USA at 5'2" tall, accepted to 2 of the Top 3 medical schools in the country. Do yourself a favor if you want to learn about the Miss America Organization and it's quality of competitors and read this article on Loren: The Next Jewish Miss America?

Miss MA 2009 Amanda Kelly, me, Miss MA 2010 Loren Rabinowitz

From lunch, Miss Rhode Island, Debbie Saint-Vil, picked me up for our drive to the Miss New Hampshire Pageant to meet Miss Vermont, Caroline Bright, where Krystal Mucciolli would be giving up her title. It was SUCH a great show with wonderful presentation and stage entertainment, and of course, a great group of women competing for the first spot in the Miss America Class of 2012. So fun to be there with my Miss A sisters, but surreal to witness 'the beginning of the end.' Watching a state pageant again was so interesting because it reminded me of the fact that I will never compete in one again...that's bizarre. I found some favorites early on in the competition, but was especially proud of the Top 3: Not only is Regan Hartley the new Miss NH and first to go to Miss America 2012, but 1st RU Megan Lyman was at National Sweetheart last year (so kind, enthusiastic, and an incredible story), and the 2nd RU was the just-former Miss NH OT and overall talent winner with amazing classical guitar. Regan's platform is about bullying based on harassment she experienced in high school - true stories influencing impactful platforms - that's what I like to see. Congrats to NH on a wonderful show!

NY - NH - RI - VT 2010

Miss VT 2010 Caroline Bright, Miss NH 2011 Regan Hartley, Miss RI 2010 Debbie Saint-Vil, Miss NY 2010 me!

I came back to Boston to spend the rest of the weekend with my sweetheart sister, Miss Mass 2009, Amanda Kelly. She rules too! Geez everyone is wonderful! It was so great to hang out in Boston, meet her boyfriend, and just have girl time. I've said it before, but I just love when your relationship with people you've met in a pageant moves past that conversation into a regular friendship in real life. I'm so thankful to have been blessed with many of those relationships. Aside from just a few minutes of congratulations at Miss America, Amanda and I had not seen each other since the summer of 2008, yet we were able to pick up right where we left off and have a blast.

From Boston, I left for Orlando, FL where I was a special guest judge at the Miss Heart of Central Florida Pageant. Nope, not what you think...it is not a Miss America local. It is a drag pageant. My college friend Ron produced this pageant and really pulled out all the stops with a fantastic show. They were so wonderful to their judges, some of whom performed and were just unbelievable!! They really set the bar high for the contestants. Especially after being at Ru Paul's Drag Race finale last week, I've learned so much about the drag community and the entertainment art of female impersonation. It is quite a new world, unique in itself. It was a fun and relaxing trip, complete with poolside reading and phone call catch ups -- just what I needed!!

Congrats to the winners!

Special Thanks to Bill and Ron for hosting me!

Makes me really proud.

2011-04-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

The American Journal of Public Health was voted one of the 100 most influential journals in biology and medicine over the last 100 years by Special Libraries Association. The AJPH has published my dad's commentary Public Health Implications of Same-Sex Marriage with the online first-look version available in advance of the print version in June.

AJPH First Look, published online ahead of print Apr 14, 2011
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American Journal of Public Health, 10.2105/AJPH.2010.300112

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Public Health Implications of Same-Sex Marriage

William Buffie, M.D.¹

¹ St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers

Correspondence: wcbuffie@aol.com

Significantly compromised health care delivery and adverse healthoutcomes are well documented for the lesbian, gay, bisexual,and transgender (LGBT) community in the United States comparedwith the population at large. LGBT individuals subject to societalprejudice in a heterosexist world also suffer from the phenomenonknown as "minority stress," with its attendant negative mentaland physical health effects.

Reports in the medical and social science literature suggestthat legal and social recognition of same-sex marriage has hadpositive effects on the health status of this at-risk community.

Improved outcomes are to be expected because of the improvedaccess to health care conferred by marriage benefits under federalor state law and as a result of attenuating the effects of institutionalizedstigma on a sexual minority group.

(Am J Public Health. Publishedonline ahead of print April 14, 2011: e1-e5. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2010.300112)

The PDF full text is available now for members at http://ajph.aphapublications.org/first_look.dtl

GLAAD and Drag Queens :)

2011-04-28T21:38:00.000-07:00

Photo by Jason Russo (HeyMrJason@yahoo.com)

Next up in the appearances was TGIF - Thank GLAAD It's Friday! At Industry Bar (very cool place-I had never been) in Hell's Kitchen where lots of media folks from print to radio to television gathered to network and support GLAAD. it has been so fun this year having such a theme and network with my platform that I really overlap with people so often and have developed some fun new relationships!

Ty Kuppig (Showt Magazine) & Jonathan Lovitz (Logo - Setup Squad)Photo by Jason Russo (HeyMrJason@yahoo.com)

Thomas Roberts (MSNBC) and Patrick Abner

And of course fun to meet new people!

Ian Patrick (L) from GLSEN - we've emailed about GLSEN Respect Awards but never met!

Archley from GLAAD and his partner Hugh and friend

I also got to meet Jane Velez-Mitchell again, more than a brief hello this time around and had a great convo with her and her girlfriend about my platform and work in schools. She invited me to be on her show as a (hopefully!) recurring guest! Could be awesome - she called to book this week but I was so sick...not at all tv appropriate.

Then Monday night was the night I had been waiting for forever...for my roommate Matt. Sure, receiving gifts is fun and all, but I really love giving gifts, especially ones this special, that I totally luck into by being Miss NY (who supports gay rights). It was the finale of Ru Paul's Drag Race and we were VIP guests at the finale viewing party and crowning! He had no idea where we were going, and when we showed up he just died...especially when we cut the line we later learned extended 2,000 people long. It really was an experience -- so many drag queens, we met them all and got pics, and even were introduced for a picture to Raja, the winner of this season!

Jujubee - Season 2

Tatiana - Season 2

And Kelly Osbourne, we met her too. How fun?!

Raja's crowning moment :)

Manila Luzon - Season 3 | Big fans!!

Then I went home and died because I was so sick. But totally worth it. All I had next day was lunch with David Mixner and a meeting with Kenny Mack to talk about all things Miss NY 2011...AND Mister New York. Oh don't worry, that info is coming...

Friendfactor

2011-04-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

Friendfactor rules. Let me tell you why. Friendfactor is a brand new and incredibly innovative initiative that brings together our innate support of our friends and our dependency on technology, as I see it.

Who: Friendfactor (www.Friendfactor.org), an online gay rights organization that is making gay rights about friends helping friends rather than legal issues. Chelsea Clinton and Chris Hughes, a co-founder of Facebook, are on Friendfactor's Advisory Board.

What: People (straight and gay) are setting up "Friend-Setter" pages, and asking their friends to call their legislator in support of the freedom to marry in New York. Think of it like a marathon page, but instead of asking friends for money, you're asking them for a call. You can view a beta page of this at www.Friendfactor.org/brianelliot. This framing is new and super exciting! We have Chelsea Handler and Michelle Clunie on board and are in touch with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Kristen Bell and Andy Cohenabout setting up a page.

So guess what? I have a Friend-Setter page. And you should visit it. Now. Type in your name and zip code, and be near your phone because Friendfactor will call you, chat for a second and connect you with your Senator, so that you can tell them in your own words, or based on the script on the screen in front of you, why YOU support YOUR FRIENDS and therefore voting YES for marriage equality.
Brilliant, right? Then, you could make your own Friend-Setter page and join the fight with us.

Friendfactor is all about bringing us together as friends because let's be honest...when we get those frequent emails of support for run/walks, or the Children's Miracle Network Fundraising for Miss America girls, or the letters of support for mission trips, are you giving money or volunteering because of the organization or cause, or is it usually because you support your friend? Friendfactor makes it so easy to support each other, gay or straight.

And if you're able, I am also co-hosting a benefit for Friendfactor's New York Launch

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Lavo New York - 39 East 58th Street

VIP Reception 6:00-7:00, Main Event 7:00-8:30

You can buy tickets HERE

A major influence.

2011-04-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

I might have seemed to disappear from blog world for a little. It's because I've been working back at Apple in addition to Miss NY appearances, as well as doing a lot of photography. Well I've got some stuff to tell you about! Thursday, when I flew in from Syracuse, I had a few exciting things: Meeting with a new initiative Friendfactor, dinner with David Mixner and the Marriage Equality New York (MENY) / Real Housewives of New York viewing party.

Let me start by telling you just a little about David. If you do a simple wikipedia search, you'll see that David "is a civil rights activist and best-selling author. He is best known for his work in anti-war and gay rights advocacy." But if you sit down for a dinner or lunch with him has I have had the great honor to do, you'll see that he is a man of so much wisdom and experience, fight and survival, joy and compassion with a yearning to empower people to continue the work that he has done, that we are capable of and responsible for carrying forward. Unbeknownst to me, I witnessed David for the first time at the National Equality March in DC 2 1/2 years ago. He organized it. Then he was at the Empire State Pride Agenda Fall Dinner where I was honored this year as Miss New York. He saw me then, and he believed in me. And has a result has supported me ever since. But it wasn't until two weeks ago that I actually met David.

Upon our first meeting, he challenged me with such beautiful metaphors and imagery about being on the edge. If you're on the edge, no one is in front of you, yet everyone is behind you. If you're on the edge, you see the colors of the sunset clearly and beautifully -OR- you stay behind and the person who goes to the edge can tell you how wonderful the colors looked...but you'll never experience it [life] fully.

That's all for now, but I am enamored by David and as someone said to me later that night "You totally drank the Mixner Kool-Aid!" Yes, I did. And I'll continue as I seek mentorship from him and read his book Stranger Among Friends.

Video Caption: Longtime LGBT activist David Mixner talks about how far we've come since the early days of the LGBT rights movement and the need to demand nothing short of full equality from our elected officials.

On marriage: I am not asking for the right to marriage. I'm not waiting for someone to give it. It is mine already from the Constitution. And I am just stepping forward to claim it. It is not theirs to give.

Well, speaking of marriage... Immediately after eating dinner with David that first time, I went to Therapy for the MENY Real Housewives of NY viewing party for the 7th Annual Wedding March which was highlighted in their episode. So yes, it was fun -- you could catch a glimpse here and there of me at the march on the RHoNY show, but what a lot of people don't realize is that if you listen closely, their ridiculous bickering is all filmed with my speech in the background! And yeah, Simon and Alex, who hosted the party, are cool and super nice. But so were the great people I met that night including new friends from HousingWorks, Impact Red and my lovely Thomas Roberts once again. More to come on those orgs as well as Friendfactor.

Syracuse trip

2011-04-25T06:39:00.000-07:00

I don't think it's ever been 10 days since my previous blog... Oops! But it kind of explains life lately.

When I flew home from LA last Monday afternoon, I immediately went to a cocktail reception and special dinner for the Women's Campaign Forum. WCF is an organization that backs and funds female politicians in the early stages of their races. The themed question was "When do we need women doing [xyz] in politics? Now, more than ever!" Among 500 attendees at the reception were 11 Congresswomen from all over the country, specifically Carolyn Maloney whom I was there in connection to, in additional to past and future politicians. Following the reception, we went to private dinners around the city, mine hosted by Fern Hurst, with private chefs from famous restaurants in NYC.

DINNER PARTY 9: Hosted by Fern Hurst

Co-Hosts: Sybil Shainwald, Marcia Sudolsky, Elizabeth “Betsey” Wood
Upper East Side- Fifth Avenue & 87th St.
Dinner by: Peter Yurastis, Fine Food Affairs
Special Guests:

Claire Buffie Miss New York; Patricia Duff Founder, The Common Good; Joan Helpern Co-founder, Joan & David; Annette Insdorf Director of Undergraduate Film, Columbia University; Julie Johnson Winemaker & Owner, Tres Sabores; Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-14); Hoboken City Council President Beth Mason; Michelle Paige Paterson Former First Lady of New York; Donald And Shelley Rubin Founders, Rubin Museum of Art

It was such an inspiration and honor to be recognize amongst these amazing people. Of course the hot topic of the evening was whether or not I'm going to fun for office. Although I don't see it for myself right now, there have been many people this year who see that for me. But then again, I didn't see myself ever doing a pageant, but I have the best job ever. So we shall see!

Tuesday morning - early early morning - I headed back to JFK, definitely almost missing my flight: I woke up a 7;18 for an 8:30 flight from JFK (which is appx 1 hr from my house.) Well, I made it and attribute it completely to good karma. I was off to Syracuse University to deliver a keynote address at their Social Justice Awards, presented by the College of Social Work and the LGBT Resource Center. It was a very nice evening, honoring Debra Person for her work in helping women in the community through a domestic violence home and working towards opening her own home for women. Quite an inspirational story: she grew up in and out of homelessness, endured abuse, became addicted to alcohol and drugs, and the story goes on. But in her later life was able to see the problems surrounding her, and recognized those she had lived through and experienced first hand, and worked to tackle those problems head on with her own hands.

with Debra Person, recipient of the Daniel and Mary Lou Rubenstein Social Justice Award

Lorna Rose, a former Miss NY contestant, was an integral part of getting me to the University and was so wonderful to me the entire time I was there in addition to giving quite a stellar introduction to my speech! It was really great getting to know her better, meeting Molly who is president of Social Workers United, and to experience the real and relaxed Syracuse University with Lorna, Molly and Becca was so fun!

Social Workers United

The next day, I visited Upstate Children's Hospital, a fairly new and absolutely beautiful Children's Miracle Network Hospital. Following a tour of the hospital, meeting a few patients, I went to the weekly Wednesday family reception where the hospital continually seeks feedback from the patients' families in order to serve them better.

That night, the mood changed as I attended the "Take Back the Night" rally and speak out against domestic, sexual and dating violence. Hundreds of students gathered in the University Chapel and listened to a few stories and keynote address. They marched even in the rain to make a statement and create awareness of violence and returned to the chapel for a speak out. It was so moving. Person after person stood up to tell their personal story about survival. Although I have never had a direct relation to domestic violence, it even opened my eyes to the fact that it can happen to anyone, even those we least expect. Without breaking confidentiality agreed upon that night, I do want to mention the gist of one story that defied stereotype. A woman stood up to tell her story of being abused by a woman and saved by a man - perhaps the complete opposite of what we generally think of. This resonated with me, reminding once again that we can never assume anything about anyone or predetermine judgement based on "the norm" because what is normal anyway? I shared the importance of taking your personal stories into conversations, no matter how private or public because they have the biggest impact on changing and opening minds. Amazing night.

Well, one more thing...
Notes that impacted me from the keynote address - so wise and challenging:

Use the past as a place of reference, not residence.

If we spend our time looking in the rear view mirror we crash.

Challenge to GROW:1. Give your voice
2. Release - let it and them go
3. Overcome fear
4. Win

Take your mess and make it your message.

Point at yourself...See, you point at your heart, not your head (your mind). So use your heart to influence your mind.
And that was Syracuse. Good trip.

GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, CA

2011-04-15T20:47:00.000-07:00

Immediately after workshop, I quickly left for JFK to fly to Los Angeles for the 2011GLAAD Media Awards. (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) I had met some JetBlue representatives at the PFLAG NYC dinner in October and reconnected with them at the NLGJA event a few weeks ago. They so generously flew me to LA for this incredible opportunity. Arianna Afsar picked me up at the airport and we had an awesome weekend together at UCLA. I was so excited that she is someone who would want to go to the awards with me, for reasons beyond celeb sighting; she is an ally as well. I really wanted to share this experience with Arianna to give the gay community in CA a new face to think about when they hear "Miss California" and "gay rights." She has been a supporter of equality but said she had never actually been to an event like this and called it "life-changing."

Miss California Arianna Afsar and Miss New York Claire Buffie at the 2011 LA GLAAD Media Awards

Our attendance made possible by dot429, was VIP to the max! We were wearing dresses by Rolando Santana. They escorted us to the VIP reception where we are surrounded by A-list celebs on the red carpet, we had a great conversation with Kirsten Dunst who LOVES Miss America and quickly grabbed her friend to tell her who we were AND passed Arianna's test of knowing the difference between USA and MAO! We met Kristen Chenoweth and congratulated her on her Vanguard Award - also a big fan "ohh I love me some Misses!" and thanked us for being there to show our support. At our table with AllState, the people to our right recognized Arianna from American Idol and to the left recognized us both off the bat from watching Miss A! "I look forward to two events every year: the GLAAD Awards and Miss America!" How fun?

(all shows are linked to acceptance speeches) The Media Awards honored Glee and Modern Family for Outstanding TV Comedy, Lawrence O'Donnell for TV Journalism segment featuring Joel Burns, and Project Runway for Outstanding Reality TV. GLADD also had a big concentration on youth, sponsoring hundreds of kids to be there and highlighting real, young changemakers on stage. Also honored was a woman, Janice Langbehn, who started her story with "I think it's sad that the only reason I'm up here or people know who I am is because my wife is dead." wow. She continued on to tell us her story about her wife's accident and the hospital's mistreatment, disrespect and denying access to her AND their three kids, not allowing anyone to see their dying mother or wife to say goodbye. They had all the paperwork: living will, birth certificates with both mothers' names, power of attorney, etc. but they were all still denied. Her wife Lisa died. It wasn't the hospital who called to ever apologize though, it was President Barack Obama who called and said he was sorry and wanted to let her know personally that he was signing a memorandum which protects hospital visitation rights and medical decisions for same sex partners. (read more) Dolly Parton was a surprise guest to honor Bob Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award and Sean Hayes gave a hilarious yet emotional presentation to Kristen Chenoweth for the Vanguard Award.

More from the LA GLAAD Media Awards Photo Page | Video Page

All in all, the Media Awards were just amazing. I loved experiencing it myself and even more witnessing Arianna experience something like that for the firs time. Plus, it was just a great weekend getaway and one of my favorite transitions is when pageant friends start talking about things besides pageants ... and we did that :) While you're at it with the YouTube video watching, check out the UCLA ScatterTones, Arianna's a cappella group.

Miss New York 2011 Spring Workshop

2011-04-15T15:03:00.000-07:00

The Miss NY Class of 2011 gathered all together for the first time at the St. George Theatre in Staten Island on Saturday for spring workshop and orientation. Beyond turning in paperwork and talent requests, the girls had a chance to perform their talents in front of a panel, learn stage choreography and walking tips from Kent Parham, our show producer, learned all about pageant week and the production theme, and shared some time with me talking about interview and what it's really like to be Miss NY. It is such a beneficial day to really get informed, focused and motivated. But even more fun, I think it's great to meet all the girls! Take a look at a video of the day!!

NY1 video: St. George Theatre To Host Miss New York Pageant
SiLive.com: At St. George Theatre, Miss New York hopefuls get taste of new site

We took some fantastic photos in the theatre and you can see a few below. More on Facebook on the Miss NY Org page and my photo album. Official Headshots will go up on the Miss New York website shortly!!

All Miss and Teen Contestants - Miss New York 2011

UBS Straight Ally Launch

2011-04-12T08:35:00.000-07:00

Before I tell you about UBS, let’s back it up a day and fill you in on some mysterious twitter posts – this whole Yankees thing. Basically, a friend Jon Harris from Athlife (whose wedding I photographed a few years ago in NYC) has introduced me to multiple sports teams so that I can begin to build a relationship with the Miss NY Organization for some fun appearances like celebrity tip off at the Knicks game, puck drop with the Rangers, 1st pitch with the Yankees, etc. Well the Yankees said they have a million people ask about the pitch but would like me to audition to be a pregame hostess. So I did and just last week, I had my first few games on the big screen. It’s a lot of fun and just cool to be back behind the scenes at the scoreboard at Yankee Stadium! Thursday, I did an afternoon game, jumped on the C to the garment district for a fitting with Rolando Santana to borrow a few dresses for the GLAAD Awards in LA and then went home to change for UBS – I ended up wearing a Rolando Santana dress there too!

A few months ago, I had a mock interview at UBS - Wealth Management | Investment Bank | Asset Management - so naturally, I thought this speaking opportunity was because of that. However, to my surprise, I was brought into UBS independently because of my platform. UBS has an LGBT Affinity Group, Pride Americas, but felt they were lacking in providing an opportunity for people to identify as straight allies in the workplace. They started an initiative to open Pride Americas up to straight allies and officially launched the program on Thursday when I spoke. I was joined by Brian Hull, Senior Manager of Wealth Management, Rich Johnson and Chad Eisenberger. Chad is such a passionate ally who joined Pride Americas with so much support, but hesitation, wondering “Am I allowed to join since I’m straight? Am I welcome?” Those questions are natural, and show us that we need to create specific opportunities for people to self-identify as allies. At this launch alone, 90 people signed the Straight Ally pledge at UBS. Before the event, there were only 123 straight ally members total.

It is incredibly important to have senior management in corporations stand behind diversity and inclusion because it shows that supporting Pride Americas or your respective LGBT affinity group is not just an opportunity, but it is an expectation. This senior support sets the bar high, creating a safe, respectful and cohesive workplace environment, which we all know fosters the best practices, teamwork and productivity. It is exciting and necessary to witness a firm as large and influential as UBS doing this.

I often recognize the groundbreaking measures I have taken in the eyes of others, but refer to my advocacy as just “the right thing to do.” This concept was supported by the other speakers but also taken further to say in an investment bank like UBS, it’s also “the smart thing to do” from a business perspective. We had so many valuable and unique perspectives – I always recognize the elephant in the room of being a “beauty queen,” then thrive in blasting that stereotype out of the water by the end of my speech and Q & A. A very special thanks to Jason Shaw and Matt Koehler.

Fascinating people and conversations – once again reminded of two things I’ve thought a lot about lately: Opportunities like this is why I wanted to be Miss America, yet why I’m so incredibly happy that I am Miss New York and able to continue with every single opportunity I had planned for my year.

Miss A sisters in our Nation's Capitol

2011-04-08T04:02:00.000-07:00

Last week, the Miss DC Organization organized a trip for the Top 12 of Miss America and friends of Miss DC to travel to and around Washington, D.C., in style of course. I left for the trip straight from the pageant in the afternoon and arrived in DC in time to catch the end of our dinner at Teri Galvez' house (Miss DC Exec Dir) for a chance to see all the girls and catch up! Monday we hit the ground running with meetings with our national platform organizations, so I went to PFLAG for a one on one meeting with Jody Huckaby (PFLAG National Exec Dir) followed by lunch with the entire staff. We had such a great meeting talking about new corporations coming on board with Straight for Equality and opportunities for me to work with them in the future beyond Miss NY.

After our meetings we went make to our host homes to get ready for the party at the Embassy of Croatia in honor of Teresa Scanlan, Miss America 2011 who is of Croatian descent. It was the first time that a lot of us got to see Teresa and really hang out all together again as a group, just reaffirming how awesome our class is. We had a wonderful party, lots of great photo ops thanks to Tom's awesome step and repeat :) and then afterwards we all went out to catch up in our normal, non-pageant lives!

Day two was at the Capitol as we arrived in the morning for a tour, stepping on the floor (no pics sorry) and in Speaker Boehner's office as well as the balcony with amazing views of DC. We had time to explore the Capitol to meet our senators - Sen. Gillibrand wasn't available and Sen. Schumer was speaking on the floor. Great lunch in the Senate dining room hosted by Sen. Strauss who spent the lunch hour talking about equality in a different way. He spoke of the inequality in the federal government that the District of Columbia has in representation and voting, along with Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, etc.

Finished at the Capitol, we went to the Newseum to take photos with our home state newspapers in hopes they would publish our photos--we'll see Daily News. Then a quick change into pink dresses for the Cherry Blossom photoshoot. We got such great photos from our shoot - some definite framers!!

Continuum the marathon day, we went back to be primped and fed courtesy of Lisa Spies, W Salon and Anna Castillo, makeup artist. They were all sooo wonderful and made us up to be some sort of beautiful! Tuesday night was the Miss District of Columbia fundraiser at the Capitol Hill Club, again featuring Teresa with whom we actually got to spend a little more time. She is doing very well - full of what I'm convinced is an eternal energy and positivity. I had some really incredible conversations with people about my platform and the feeling in the DC area about it. Also I met people from our armed forces who shared their experiences and opinions on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" - a fascinating (and supportive of the repeal) insight.

Day three was sight-seeing for most, but I had the opportunity to go the Human Rights Campaign national offices to meet with Marty Rouse, the national field officer. Remember the talked-about Barbara Bush for marriage equality video? Well I got to film my own "New Yorker for Marriage Equality" video that will be released soon. So cool to join the support team of people like Barbara, Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer, Whoopi Goldberg, Cynthia Nixon, Julianne Moore, and so many more. I spent some time speaking with the interns and field staff and have received a lot of positive feedback already. What a great way to start the day?!

I jumped in a cab to the river for our boat tour hosted by Spirit Cruises and Kate Michael, former Miss DC, also known as K Street Kate. Good time just to relax with the girls before the night's festivities.

Now this was something I never thought I'd do, on many levels...I'll just say it. I sang the National Anthem at the National Republican Congressional Committee gala in their celebration of reclaiming the majority. Ok don't worry, I didn't song alone, but I was awkwardly close to a microphone. Out of 12 Miss States, luckily we had 5 singers to out-sing the 7 of us who are dancers :) It was definitely a very exciting and unique experience. Then we met Dick Cheney. (No, not Dick Cheney in the center of this photo...Miss Louisiana Kelsi Crain who was sick as a dog the entire trip and couldn't come til the last night :( )

Night's not over! We went to one last cocktail party at Rivers at The Watergate and then back to Teri's to unwind with a pizza party--the best pizza I have EVER had. (sorry NY) HUGE THANKS go to Teri Galvez and Trisha Morrin, exec dir and president of the Miss DC Organization, for their extreme time and energy in putting this trip together, Valerie Clemens from Miss Maine who organized, facilitated and photographed each day, to all of the Miss DC volunteers and hosts, many of whom I rode with or stayed with, and of course to my Miss America sisters for making our reunion just so amazing!! Yay DC!! Til next time in NY - I'll miss you all.

Gowns, gowns and more gowns...

2011-04-04T13:21:00.000-07:00

It was a weekend of gowns. On Saturday, after a photoshoot, lunch with friends, roommate's Shakespearean show, I ran home to apply a smokey eye and pull out my Miss America competition evening gown. And then I smiled, being transported back to the Miss America stage with my Miss A sisters and all of the excitement of the competition and the Planet Hollywood stage. Sure last time I wore it, I was being judged on stage--well this time I was being judged in a different way--by drag queens!! And we all know they can be the hardest on a girl!

The ladies of RuPaul's Drag Race

It was The Imperial Court's Night of A Thousand Gowns benefiting he Ali Forney Center and the Trevor Project, I arrived on the Red Carpet St 6:30 and did not leave until 1:10am...and we left early! It was the best night ever with so much excitement and energy, confidence and celebration, sparkles and stones, velvet, hair, crowns that completely put mine to shame, and makeup. I was called on stage to say a few impromptu words, introduce an award and also the highlight...I entered into knighthood! As I walked on stage and they told me to kneel I was nervous that my dress isn't so much a kneeling (or sitting I found at dinner) dress with a slit hehe but good thing I had a pretty backless dress! So I am officially "Dame New York" or "Dame Claire Buffie." How fun?!

I received soooo many thanks and met excited fans who watched, cheered and voted for Miss America, and quite a few offers for appearances and offers to be involved with different organizations. I once again was able to meet so many new, fun people and reconnect with people I've met before like the cast of My Big Gay Italian Wedding. Such a great night!!!

Cast of My Big Gay Italian Wedding

The next morning it was up early for the last city pageant of the year. We had another great (and fast!) day at the Scandinavian House. Marina Montes, a former Miss NY contestant (2nd RU when I was 3rd RU in '09) who has come back to be an executive director of a local pageant - it is so key to have the commitment of these girls who are going back to a program that gave so much to them! Congratulations to Kasey Waters Miss Greater Gotham, Kaitlin Monte Miss Southern NY and Kate Perkins Miss Five Boroughs! It was a "K" day apparently!!

Kate Perkins Miss Five Boroughs | Kaitlin Monte Miss Southern NY | Kasey Waters Miss Greater Gotham

I want to take a second to explain something that is rightfully confusing... 2 weeks ago, we crowned Nardeen Billan Miss Greater Gotham in the state open sweeper. After that weekend, we decided to raise the money to give one extra girl a chance to compete at Miss NY by awarding 3 titles instead of 2 at Miss Southern NY. In brainstorming those titles' names, we asked Nardeen if she would like to be Miss Queens as it would be wonderful to have that borough specifically represented rather than just a greater NYC title. She was ecstatic and thought it would make her marketing during the year so much better, and we could also increase our visibility in the Queens community to get some new involvement in the Miss NY organization. So that's why we had the Greater Gotham sash/title still available and Kasey Waters, who lives in Astoria and works in Manhattan, took the more encompassing title. Make sense? I know we are all super excited and hope that clears things up for any of you who were wondering.

New titleholders with all visiting titleholders - Congrats ladies!

Even though I'm skipping past the week in DC-another blog- I want to jump to announcing that the last girl in the 2011 class was crowned on Saturday night! Congratulations to Lynn Tryon Miss Mohawk Valley!! So that makes the Miss New York Class of 2011 complete!! You can see their crowning moments on the Miss NY website under Local Competitions! After Orientation Workshop this weekend, we will be updating their new headshots and releasing lots of information about the 2011 pageant in Staten Island! Get excited!!

NGLJA and Hewlett HS

2011-04-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

Upon my return to New York, I had quite a busy day, flying in at noon followed by an impromptu hair appointment at Vartali Salon just in time for the National Gay and Lesbian Journalist Association annual event "HEADLINES+HEADLINERS." This was one of the first bigger events I went to as a local titleholder two years ago (as Miss Jubilee 2009) as a guest of Marni Lemmons with Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals. Kind of fun to come full circle on it. This time though, I was a special guest of MSNBC Anchor and the evening's host, Thomas Roberts. The event was held at the beautiful Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams showroom with the most adorable food I've ever seen.

I loved seeing Thomas and his mom again, meeting the aunt and uncle, as well as the highlight, Thomas' partner, Patrick - the only person standing in the way of me marrying Thomas... uhhh.....I mean.... hehe

Also fun to run into Hudson Taylor and LZ Granderson again.

Hudson was workin' it with the magic tricks!

The next day, I jumped on the train to head out to Long Island, returning to Hewlett HS for an all-school assembly. 1,200 kids at one time in the gym! I was their keynote speaker to wrap up Human Rights Day, put on by the Right to Equality group at school which combines the Gay/Straight Alliance and the Human Rights Clubs. Since I wasn't born in NY, but I choreographed a musical at Hewlett High School two years ago and have a wonderful relationship with their MS/HS music teachers, Walter and Eric, I consider Hewlett HS my "home turf." They did a great job of capturing the day in THIS ARTICLE.

Some members of the Right to Equality group

We had such good audience participation as the kids stood up to tell me what kind of bullying they had witnessed at school and what you can do to stop it. Finally, as I charged them to find their passion and cause for which to advocate, we could have gone all day as dozens stood up and said "I am ___ and I want to stand up for ___." In the end, the challenge was to keep each other accountable for these messages of pride and advocacy.

Some "Guys & Dolls" :)

So thankful for Walter and Eric!!

Return to the Alma Maters

2011-03-27T17:22:00.000-07:00

Last week I traveled to Indiana to speak as an honored alum of Ball State University. Jay Zimmerman, psychologist in the Counseling Center, brought me to BSU for a keynote address about my platform Straight for Equality: Let’s Talk. They hosted a private dinner with some of my most influential professors from the Honors College, and College of Fine Arts (both visual art and theatre/dance) as well as members of the faculty, community and the LGBT groups on campus, Spectrum and Continuum. Following dinner, we went to Pruis Hall where almost 400 students and faculty gathered to hear me speak. I did my 20-minute speech and then as planned, opened it to Q & A. We answered impromptu questions from the audience for 1 hour and 40 minutes! With the current state of Indiana legislature on the HJR6 proposed constitutional amendment that would completely eliminate even the possibility of marriage equality OR even civil unions/domestic partnerships, I urged the people in the audience to be not just allies, but advocates - requiring action.

READ the Ball State Daily News Article
READ the Muncie Star Press Article

I say “we” because I was honored to invite a new friend on stage. On Monday before I went to BSU, I received multiple text messages reading “Did you hear about the new Miss Ball State?” People informed me via text messaging that the new Miss BSU had an LGBT Equality platform as well and that “I [Claire] told her to be confident and proud of who she is and what she believes in.” I searched through emails and facebook messages (I've received quite a handful of contestants who have told me about stopping pageants because of their sexual orientation, or being motivated to compete again because of the inspiration I gave them...) Well, come to find out when we had lunch together with Executive Director, Carol Cosisko – who got me started in pageants! – Kara Mitchell, the new Miss BSU, had followed my journey and heard my message, which told her to be open about who she is. Now that’s cool. So as I finished my speech, I wanted to introduce Kara to the audience because as I return to NY and continue my work, the torch is passed to her and she carries this legacy and leads the fight on Ball State’s campus. Just two days after being crowned, with no warning, she came up on stage with me and fielded those almost 2 hours of questions so eloquently, tackling difficult questions about religion, marriage equality, and more, all offering a beautifully confident perspective as an openly gay woman. It was incredible and I was so honored to share the stage with Kara. This evening reminded me once again why I worked so hard to become Miss America, but why I continue as Miss NY with the best job in the world. I also loved having tea with Ellen Bryan, a fellow Emens Scholar at BSU and 2-time runner up at Miss Ohio. Good luck to both Kara and Ellen as they prepare for Miss Indiana and Miss Ohio!

Tyler Fox (big fan/advocate), Megan Thwaites 1st RU Miss BSU (My 1st Outstanding Teen), Kara Mitchell Miss Ball State 2011, Miss NY, Courtney Jurick Miss Three Rivers Festival 2011

As I returned to Indianapolis on such a high from the evening, I began preparing myself for the next day – shifting gears to a high school discussion. I returned to my high school alma mater, Perry Meridian High School, where I spoke to the entire female population of the school in two assemblies, speaking about leadership. I shared my leadership experience in the same school they attend now, same clubs, stage and community and then worked my way through my college career and finding my place in the Miss America Organization. My leadership now is my advocacy. Following the presentations, I went into multiple classrooms: theatre, history, and speech. In the history class we compared the civil rights movement now to that of the Sixties; in the theatre class we talked about the power of words and how they can harm or benefit the people around us; and in speech, discuss the preparation that has come from pageantry and how it has benefitted the rest of public and personal relations in my life.

All in all, GREAT trip – and it happened to be the same week as my brother’s surprised 30^th birthday party! Not bad timing :) Here's a peek at our fun day!

March 15-18 - March IS Madness!

2011-03-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

Woah – 2 weeks behind. That seems to be a thematic opening line of my blogs recently. Last we left off, I was at the incredible PFLAG National Straight for Equality Gala and Awards. Then Miss Tennessee, Nicole Jordan came to visit! Love being Miss NY and living in a state/city where I get to see the amazing Miss America girls who come to visit! It was great seeing Nicole in her Musical Theatre/Acting showcase with University of Alabama – fun to see these girls outside of pageantland and get a glimpse into their “real life”

I have been introduced to a lot of our state’s sports teams, professional and collegiate in hopes of establishing some new relationships for FUN and recurring appearances for the new Miss NY and myself. In that process, I was introduced to the Yankees PR and media for whom I eventually auditioned to be a Yankess hostess --- And I got it! So coming up, I’ll be starting out hosting five Yankees games as a broadcaster in the stadium! Pretty cool, right!?! Super stoked especially since I am very interested in pursuing broadcasting post-Miss NY.

Then it was off to Southside Middle School in Rockville Centre, NY on Thursday where I really got down to it and had a really great conversation with the entire school about bullying and those specific biases of sexual orientation and gender identity as a part of their "Expanding Our Horizons Together" guest speakers. The school is very progressive and proudly speaks of their student equality group "Be the Change" club, with whom I got to sit down individually and have some great question and answer. Scott Quasha, the school psychologist who organized my visit runs the website www.lgbteach.org with Elisa Waters from another school I have visited on Long Island. He also runs the CometFire group – a support group and question/answer time for LGBT and Questioning youth - which PFLAG NYC has been assisting.

Friday, Jamie took me to the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx for a National Women’s History brunch hosted by Congressman Joseph Crowley with featured keynote speaker, the first female Nassau County District Attorney, Kathleen Rice. I really look forward to working with her and building a relationship with local titleholders in her district. Beautiful day in NYC!!

And then, to top things off, Lauren Edmunds came in town for Miss Georgia preparation and we had lunch! We were at National Sweetheart together 3 years ago. Good luck this summer!!

PFLAG National Straight for Equality Gala

2011-03-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

On Monday night, a photographer captured what may just be my favorite photo of my entire year as Miss NY - a picture is worth a thousand words is right.

This was at the Third Annual PFLAG National Straight for Equality Gala in NYC. I presented the Straight for Equality in Business Award to the Chief Diversity Officer of MetLife, a corporation who has been a longtime supporter of PFLAG NYC and National, but also committed to equality in the workplace, recognizing that a diverse blend of people creates the most affective team.

Executive Director of PFLAG National Jody Huckaby and PFLAG President Rabbi David Horowitz

Although I agree with the emcee comedian Carol Leifer that he should have come out in his wrestling singlet, Hudson Taylor was the SfE in Sports honoree for his courageous voice in wrestling as a straight ally. He wrestled through college as a 3 NCAA All-American at the University of Maryland with the HRC equality symbol on his headgear and is now the Columbia University coach. I have a direct connection to someone who is gay because my sister, but what is so cool about Hudson is that he doesn't. It's just the right thing to do for him -- and should be for us all. Hudson just started his own non-profit Athlete Ally. Join him.

This year PFLAG gave out the first SfE in Literature Award to Charlaine Harris. Perhaps you don't know her name, but I know you know True Blood. She wrote the books on which the tv show was based. Even with 7 gay characters on the show, it was so interesting to hear her speak of her intention, lacing a stronger message of acceptance and differences through a story of vampires. "To find that other people have been listening to the subtext of my books, and have been taking it seriously, is an unexpected delight. I'm grateful for this recognition of my small attempt to correct a great wrong, and to be the recipient of this very meaningful award." - CH

And then we were ready for Rosie Perez to accept her award for SfE in Entertainment...or were we? With a fantasic and heartfelt introduction from Wilson Cruz (RENT), Rosie took the stage and stole our attention, hearts and laughter. Rosie is a loud, proud, Puerto Rican activist for a number of causes, especially those related to AIDS and inner-city youth. She has been an advocate for the gay community who has not and will never let an ounce of injustice occur or be heard around her. Although we will always continue to celebrate, award and recognize those who are making ground breaking steps towards equality, we both/all look forward to a time where there is not such an award because then it won't be one incredible person stepping up and embracing equality, it will be the world doing so.

The Broadway Boys were the entertainment of the night...and sooooo good!! And Jamie was my handsome date :)

Read the entire press release HERE. Visit PFLAG National and Straight for Equality.

What a great weekend! 7 new titleholders!!

2011-03-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

And then the weekend hit and what a great few days that was!? Saturday I checked in and introduced myself to many of the contestants competing for Miss NY local city titles in interview. I got really excited because although I knew from the numbers and names that we were going to have a great day of pageants on Sunday, but seeing everyone just took it up a notch! Everyone looked great!! I loved how contemporary and modern everyone looked in their interview outfits.

After playing DJ Jazzy Claire and collecting all talent music, it was over to the 18th Annual GLBT Expo at the Javitz Center. The entire space was packed with GLBT or gay-friendly organizations. In the wedding aisle, I was modeling Stephen Yearick wedding gowns with Sposabella Lace. Felt pretty fancy! It was fun though to have so many people recognize and support me, coming up with a picture of the two of us on their cell phone reminiscing of meeting Miss NY at Toys for Tots or The ESPA Gala or something. We all, in this bubble of pageant world, get excited to meet celebs in titleholders, but it is so wonderful to see the support and excitement in the community about meeting a Miss America girl.

I also did an interview in the video lounge with big supporter Appolonia Cruz, who hosted my send off party, where we showed a highlight video of my Miss America Preliminary competition (watch it HERE). Most importantly, I was able to meet face to face with Hertz Connect and two car dealerships about potentially sponsoring me for my upstate travels in these next few months. I can't wait to see how those relationships hopefully develop. Then I visited with the Human Rights Campaign and signed up as a supporter of Marriage Equality. Are you?

Sunday was the big day for New York locals! Miss Greater Rochester was upstate and 6 titles were given in New York City. Congratulations to ALL who competed and a special thanks to those in the city and state sweeper who were such troopers on a double pageant day! I did the on-stage questions while Jackie Holmes emceed the first pageant and then moved up to emcee duties for round two.

Miss Southeast NY Amanda Mason - Miss Manhattan Mallory Hagan - Miss New York City Hannah Wright
1st RU Tara Szczepanski (L)

Miss Greater Gotham Nardeen Billan - Miss Liberty Kimberly Cantoni - Miss Metropolitan Tara Szczepanski

Visiting Titleholders: Miss Staten Island Maria DeSantis, Miss Kings County Carmen Mendoza,
Miss Altamaha Alexa Turpin (Georgia), Miss Manhattan 2010 Jackie Holmes

Miss Greater Rochester Chelsea Prophet

Parades, schools and karaoke.

2011-03-17T04:49:00.000-07:00

I get so on top of other things and then fall behind on my blog! Last week was a fantastic mix of great schools and fun appearances. On Saturday, we had a rainy mess that turned into a great day at the Staten Island St. Patrick's Day Parade. Major thanks to all of the people who kept me dry and were flexible in the back and forth decisions reacting to the weather changes back and forth. I had a blast with our Miss NY Princess Ava and Kelli and Mary-Lou. I think Staten Island definitely loved seeing Miss Staten Island AND Miss NY in the parade; they're excited to have all the girls in June!

I had a few PFLAG schools this week in the Bronx and in West Harlem. In the Bronx, to be honest, it was a tough school - all transfer students who had been removed from or left their previous school. The school psychologist was a great support for me as he helped facilitate the conversation about equality, bullying and respect. Some students shared very vulnerable stories and as a result, I visibly witnessed a change in their peers' attitudes. At Columbia Secondary School, the kids were so talkative, adding such interesting elements to our dialogue. We talked about the trend that high school lesbians can be more accepted because "girls don't care and the guys think it's hot." Very interesting. We also had great discussions of how they define the word "gay" or when the first time they remember hearing it. In each class (5 groups of 60) they defined "gay" as happy, as when a man loves another man, as a derogatory term used as an insult, or as an umbrella term for LGBT. It was fascinating to hear about their introduction to the word. I think it continues to educate me as I speak to more groups of diverse ages, cultures and relations.

I must have been charging them with something very serious...wow intense look.

I speak to schools specifically as Miss NY when I am booked through the organization, but I also speak a lot with PFLAG Safe Schools program. Obviously when kids are coming down for an assembly with Miss New York, they know who I am although I don't put the the crown on until the end. But in a PFLAG school they have no idea until I talk about advocacy and bring it out at the end when I talk about the importance of vocal straight allies, for example the straight celebrities in PFLAG NYC's Stay Close Campaign. At Columbia on Thursday, a girl raised her hand and thanked me, "I think it's really cool that you didn't tell us who your are until after you had shared your story with us because I really listened to you and believed you rather than thinking, 'she is just saying this and thinks we'll listen since she's famous.' But now I'm glad I know you're Miss NY because that's really cool and makes it even more meaningful since you told us after." She got it. That is exactly the reason I do my presentations the way I do. I don't want someone to be distracted by a sparkly crown and miss what I'm actually saying. And then when you bring it out at the end, the crown not only represents my title of Miss NY but also is an emblem of courage, compassion, leadership and advocacy.

And then another fun appearance - I judged one of the Karaoke World Championship NYC preliminaries! It was awesome! There is so much hidden talent in NYC that needs to be discovered. Thanks to Michelle Kinney for the great opportunity.

The weekend will be in the next blog...so much to write about! Pics coming soon too -- I'm posting this from my phone on the train.

Creating the Class of 2011

2011-03-11T09:12:00.000-08:00

Ok! We're coming down to it! The Miss New York Class of 2011 is looking great so far and will almost double in the next few weekends. So here's the rundown:

Last weekend, Colleen Gagne won Miss Empire Rose and Jennifer Pollard won Miss Empire Star!

Miss Empire Star Jennifer Pollard, Teens Brittany Rose Egnot and Shannon Ryan, Miss Empire Rose Colleen Gagne

Upcoming Locals

also available on www.missny.org

7 titles THIS WEEKEND, 3 additional following:

Miss Greater Rochester

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Roberts Wesleyan College Cultural Life Center

3:00 pm

Tickets: $15 Adults / $5 Kids

www.msgreaterrochester.com

Miss Manhattan | New York City | Southeast NY

March 13, 2011 (Interviews March 12)

Open to New York City (Five Boroughs)

Miss Metropolitan | Greater Gotham | Liberty

March 13, 2011 (Interviews March 12)

Statewide OPEN

Both of these pageants will be at the Victor Borge Hall at the Scandinavian Center

(58 Park Avenue at 38 St.)

Miss Manhattan | New York City | Southeast NY is at 12:00noon

Miss Metropolitan | Greater Gotham | Liberty is at 3:30pm

Tickets are $20 for EACH pageant

Miss Southern NY | "County" Queen

March 27, 2011

Miss Southern NY is open to Five Boroughs/Long Island/Westchester

Miss "County" Queen is a Statewide OPEN and will be named based on the residency of the winner.

Marina Montes, Executive Director

Email: mjm023@gmail.com

Victor Borge Hall at the Scandinavian Center

58 Park Avenue at 38 St.

Doors Open 12:00 Noon | Pageant Starts 12:30PM Sharp

Tickets $20

Miss Mohawk Valley

April 2, 2011

Open to Herkimer, Oneida, Fulton & Montgomery Counties

Laurie Jean Britton, Executive Director

Email: maplechick1@msn.com

Mandatory Workshop for All Miss New York Contestants

April 9, 2011

St. George Theatre

Staten Island, NY

www.missny.org

2011-03-09T21:34:00.000-08:00

From my Quality of Life essay:
The Chief Service Officer to the Mayor said, "No longer is it something nice, service is something necessary. Use your 'fill in the blank' for the better." It is imperative that we serve each other with our unique gifts and talents, whatever they may be, as there is always a way for you to make your community better and stronger.

Four years ago I won a local title and created a website for the Miss Duneland Scholarship Pageant. I think it is so important to have a polished face to an organization that highlights the extraordinary accomplishments of women in this program and also makes the opportunity available for new girls to compete and become a part of the Miss America Organization. Now as a state titleholder, that marketing is even more important to me. As a photographer and graphic designer, I have designed my fair share of websites and enjoyed every one of them. I love this field because I get to use my talents to promote others' talents. So this is a way that I have chosen to give back to the Miss New York Organization. A little facelift :) www.missny.org

So the new website is www.MissNY.org which will eventually replace www.missnyorg.com which we found to be a tiny confusing.com/org.gov :-) I hope you enjoy scrolling through the new site, seeing lots of pictures, information and sneaking a peek at our new titleholders of the Class of 2011... One of whom, come June 19th, will be all over this site!

Indiana Youth Group Art Auction

2011-03-09T09:18:00.000-08:00

Indiana Youth Group

Art Auction

Saturday, March 12th

VIP Hour: 7-8 p.m.

General Public: 8-10 p.m.

Wheeler Art Center

Fountain Square at 1035 Sanders Street

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Advance/Online:

General Admission $30 | VIP Tickets $50

At the Door:

General Admission $40 | VIP Tickets $60

Click Here for IYG Website and Ticket Sales

The Indiana Youth Group (IYG) will host the annual Art Auction at Wheeler Arts Community Center on March 12, 2011 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. This year’s event is themed “Inspire Me”. Both professional and amateur art as well as various gifts will be awarded in live and silent auctions. Honorary Co-Chairpersons, reigning Miss New York and renowned photographer, Indiana native, Claire Buffie and the honorary David Orentlicher, former state representative and professor of Law and Medicine at IU.

The VIP social hour will start at 7:00 PM and features complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuveres. Additional VIP surprises will be announced throughout the evening. The Art Auction will start at 8:00 PM and run through 10:00 PM. A cash bar and hors d'oeuveres will be available.

I have donated three pieces to the art auction - two dance photos from my Ball State University Honors Thesis project create.capture.captivate and a digital imaging piece of abstract art.

One I want to specifically highlight is entitled "If." My dad, Bill Buffie, has written the most amazing piece, "If for Marriage Equality" and it will be revealed for the first time to the public at the Indiana Youth Group Art Auction. It is a thought-provoking and emotional challenge and great recognition of the power of the people who yearn for and continue to fight for marriage equality in this nation.

About Indiana Youth Group

Since 1987, the Indiana Youth Group has been a positive force impacting thousands of LGBT youth. IYG serves young people from ages 12 to 21 who self-identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning and their allied friends.

For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) youth, the normal stress of adolescence can be heightened by the pressures that often accompany the internal awareness of being different. Social stigma, rejection, and bullying are often experienced by LGBT youth. It is no surprise that compared to their heterosexual peers, LGBT youth tend to experience a higher incidence of isolation, depression, suicide, and homelessness.

IYGs activity center offers a supportive environment that allows the youth to build self-confidence, explore individualism, and develop friendships within a community that values fairness, acceptance, respect for diversity, and equality.

Straight Talk | dot429

2011-03-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

This week I attended a VIP Dinner and day of seminars and co-hosted a cocktail reception and networking event for dot429. As you can see above, dot429 is a network and an online magazine that connects the LGBT community with invaluable straight allies. As one of their new founding members, I hope to enhance the connection and bring on new active and passionate straight allies.

At the event, I found myself explaining to others the spectrum of respect and alliance. To be an ally is to respect and embrace the LGBT community, but it also takes action. If we, as straight supporters, just say "Yes, I support equality and rights for the LGBT community," but if we don't actually DO anything about it, then we are no help at all. Advocacy takes action - proactive gestures and actions that help society and our laws progress.

The event was inspiring because of the people I met and the conversations that we had together. A major point of the "Straight Talk" event was to open dialogue about LGBTA people in Politics & Current Events (Lt. Dan Choi, Kerry Eleveld), Entertainment & Media (Andy Cohen, Lisa Sherman, Jane Velez-Mitchell), and Fashion & Design (Suzanne Johnson - Saks Fifth Avenue, Simon Doonan - Barney's). They also stressed the importance of authenticity - being yourself with confidence in the workplace and our communities - something I could speak to and completely support.

Lt. Dan Choi

In addition to the magazine content on their website, dot429 is like LinkedIn and Facebook together and you can join online. They also have monthly networking events. The next event in NY is the New York Networking Brunch at the Tribeca Grand Hotel (2 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013) Sunday, March 27 from 12:00-3:00 PM. For you California fans, the San Francisco Cocktail Reception at The Fifth Floor Restaurant (12 4th Street - 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103) Thursday, March 10 from 5:30-7:30 PM.

It's March!??!

2011-03-04T11:02:00.000-08:00

Holy cow! My brother gets hitched and I get so behind on my blog! I was in Indianapolis this weekend for my brothers wedding and of course I have to share a few pictures from that -- well and of my cutest ever most adorable super hero nephew :)

The NEW Buffie Family!

And I got a chance to go cheer on one of my best friends in her local - Congratulations Ashley Casterline, Miss Southern Heartland 2011! Even Logan loves Miss America!

Then it was back to New York for the ever popular IHOP National Pancake Day! As many of you know, Miss America is the Goodwill Ambassador of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, so on March 1st, MAO, CMN Hospitals and IHOP came together with state titleholders all over the US flipping and serving pancakes to raise money for children in need. I was out at the Happauge IHOP on Long Island serving pancakes from 10:00-3:00 and visiting with customers. I even took an order AND got it all correct! (I've never been a server before.) We raised $1040 at this IHOP store on National Pancake Day. Put that with the thousands of stores in the IHOP franchise and hopefully we reached our goal of $2.3 Million!

This guy says "You're Miss New York? I work for Amway - we make that happen!"

Meanwhile, upstate we crowned a new Miss Finger Lakes 2011, Charlotte Booth! She is already up and running with her blog (Read Here) that reveals competing for 5 years in the Miss America Organization before getting her chance to go to Miss New York 2011. Congratulations, Charlotte and welcome to the family! Also congratulations to Amy Valenti on a fantastic reign as Miss Finger Lakes 2010!

(L-R) Amanda Boyer 3rd RU, Margaret Feldman 2nd RU, Charlotte Booth Miss Finger Lakes, Chelsea Prophet 1st RU, Victoria Rippel 4th RU | Charlotte's Crowning Moment

The Pageant Planet

2011-02-22T06:15:00.000-08:00

In most states, the Class of 2011 is almost complete. But in NY, we have a few locals in the fall, but a concentration of them in February - March. So a lot of you are getting ready right now for locals and soon for state. I have a suggestion for you!

I met Steve and Candace from The Pageant Planet at my Miss America send off party in NYC. Now, I'll be joining a part of their family, participating in the VIP Coaching Call today, Tuesday February 22. The Pageant Planet's VIP Call spends 2 hours every 2 weeks talking about current events from a variety of opinions and offers special guests to give suggestions on pageant preparation, specifically for interview. I'll be the resident "expert" on today's call talking about some of my preparation for Miss America and Miss New York - things I found successful, things I could have avoided, etc.

In addition to these calls, The Pageant Planet offers a variety of free services - newsletters with interview questions, preparation tips and motivation and a place for pageant wardrobe reselling/buying.

Miss New York wants to help you with interview this Tuesday!This month I want to give you access to a couple of pageant coaches who will revolutionize your private interview. First you will get to speak with Claire Buffie, Miss New York 2010, who is going to tell you exactly what questions were asked in the Miss America interview room, what the set up was, what other girls were wearing, how the judges acted...she will tell all!

In short, Claire is going to tell you EXACTLY what to expect inside the Miss America interview room. And she is going to share with us how she made national news as a state titleholder. Think about that...the judges got to know her month's before the pageant.. what an advantage!?

Click now to get all the details:

www.call.thepageantplanet.com

ThePageantPlanet.com is your online pageant coach, dedicated to gathering the best success strategies from the most reliable sources to ensure your success in pageantry.

In less than 1 year "The Pageant Planet.com grew to become the #1 resource for pageant information on the web! More than 80,000 girls come every month come to learn how to successfully compete, receive pageant coaching, purchase their gowns, and to connect with other girls competing for the crown.

Join the family. Dominate the crown.

Find The Pageant Planet on Facebook | Twitter

Everything else during RFA Week

2011-02-21T06:43:00.000-08:00

Aside from schools presentations for Respect For All Week (blogpost), I've done some other great appearances this week including Miss Brooklyn's Cupid's Cure, The State of the City and the Senator Klein's Bronx VA hospital visit.

Saturday, Linda Carbo and I went to Miss Brooklyn, Christina Moore's fundraiser Cupid's Cure to benefit the Sarcoma Foundation in honor of her aunt, a sarcoma survivor. The event was fantastic - a real testament to Christina's work ethic and dedication to community service as well as maximizing her opportunity as local titleholder to make a difference. I want to share this video to show you that the Miss America Organization is so much more that the one girl with the big title and big crown - it's the 1,200 local titleholders that make this organization what it is. Congratulations, Christina on a wonderful event!

Tuesday, I was invited to the State of the City address by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. In attendance were all 5 Borough Presidents, Comptroller John Lui, Public Advocate Bill De Blasio, District Attorney Vance and the entire membership of the City Council. She focused on affordable housing, parking issues, and especially small businesses. As far as the status of city funding, she proposes we start paying out capital funds up front, steadily increasing our out-of-pocket payments so that we don't leave our kids with the bill. Start investing 1 billion a year. The two major catch phrases I took from her speech follow:

"Small problems can turn into big issues. But small actions can create a huge difference. Simple improvements make a profound difference."
"Government only succeeds when we serve as a microphone to the people and work outside of the walls of City Hall."

Thursday, straight from Lyons Community HS in Washington Heights, I quickly headed over to the Bronx Veterans Hospital for Senator Jeffery Klein's 16th Annual Valentines Day celebration. The PS choir sang wonderful songs and made tons of Valentines to pass out to the veterans. I've been in quite a few children's hospital because of CMN, but this was my first VA hospital. These men and women are amazing with the stories and inspiration they share. After the program, the Senator, Miss Teen USA Kamie Crawford and I did some bedside visits, delivering Valentines and packages to those who couldn't attend the program. I'm looking forward to working with Senator Klein on upcoming Marriage Equality events and press conferences. It was fantastic meeting Kamie as well - an absolute sweetheart and so beautiful as well! So cute to visit one room and the man says "Oh! You're the new one!" and pointed to the wall where he had a picture with Miss Teen USA from the year before. Hopefully we can make this a tradition for Miss New York as well.

I also did a photoshoot for Lauren Gabrielson -- you'll be able to see those pictures soon on her new website! www.laurengabrielson.com

Respect for All Week

2011-02-20T09:23:00.000-08:00

I've been busy with school presentations these past two weeks with the PFLAG Safe Schools Program, speaking to over 1,000 students for Respect for All Week. I started last Wednesday at Metropolitan HS in the Bronx. Do you remember the hate crime in the Bronx from a few months ago involving a gang attack? One of the men involved went to this high school. Obviously our message is desperately needed there.

Thursday, we went to Lyons Community School, a progressive learning institution with a very accepting and conversational, compassionate staff and student body overall. However, even in an environment like this, they have issues. In a recent experience at a school, a 7th grade student was continually bullied and taunted for being gay, to a point where he was chased off school grounds into oncoming traffic where he was hit by a car. Thankfully, it was not a fatal accident, but the incident, deemed hate crime, resonated in the school and community. We were joined by members of the NYPD at this school to help the students understand the significance of hate crimes and the extreme consequences that are added when the discrimination bias of sexual orientation and gender identity arise.

This Wednesday (during the actual RFA week), I visited George Washington HS of Law and Public Service in Washington Heights. I spoke to 4 classes and opened a really great dialogue in their school. One question I was asked 3 times was "If your sister wasn't gay, would you still be here talking to us?" To that I was able to recognize that 4 years ago when I started competing, I did not have any question or thoughts other than equality when choosing my platform in the Miss America Organization. But, the titles I have held have increased my visibility, reach and opportunities to engage in PFLAG as a public figure, adding volume to the message I want to share. I also addressed our responsibility to challenge ourselves beyond tolerance to acceptance, and even further to advocacy. Straight allies are invaluable parts of this fight for equality.

Thursday, I visited our last high school for the week, Newtown HS in Queens. We spoke to their "No Place for Hate" alliance, so in a way, we were preaching to the choir. It gave us an opportunity to empower them to be the changemakers in their school and communities. I was joined by Council Member Danny Dromm. Danny is a former teacher - the first openly gay teacher in NYC public schools - who also started the PFLAG Queens chapter along with many other LGBT and equality advocacy groups. He has been a huge advocate in the City Council for PFLAG, especially with gaining funding from the city for our work and educational outreach programs. It was a wonderful honor to speak with him.

Friday, we wrapped things up at a Respect for All Press Conference at Brooklyn International High School. You know you're Miss New York when you attend a press conference only to find that you're speaking at it! It was an honor to speak on behalf of PFLAG and Straight for Equality: Let's Talk, while surrounded by the Respect for All Coalition, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Schools Chancellor Cathie Black, New York City Council Education Committee Chair Robert Jackson and leaders from diverse organizations including Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), Operation Respect, Anti-Defamation League, United Federation of Teachers, and many more.

Respect for All week has been successfully implemented in school curriculum in NYC in this second year, but we have to remind and challenge these students that although this is a week to highlight the importance of respect, it is only the beginning of changing attitudes in their schools for all year and years to come. The necessity for respect, dignity and equality goes beyond one week of focus an conversation. As I shared in the press conference, PFLAG spreads this message all year in our Safe Schools Program and as Chancellor Black wishes to take RFA Week nationally, I as Miss New York am taking it state-wide.