accessAtlanta

Miss Calif. pageant gives ad time to gay group

SAN FRANCISCO — The Miss California USA pageant director who became embroiled in a war of words with former title holder Carrie Prejean has donated 30-seconds of free ad time to the state's largest gay rights group.

Equality California announced Thursday that it would be airing a spot featuring a teenage girl with two mothers during the Nov. 22 contest, which is airing on the CW and My Network TV.

Keith Lewis, the pageant's executive director, says he would give Prejean the same amount of time if she wanted to provide a pre-taped message.

Lewis, who is gay, accused Prejean of violating her contract when she ignored his advice on how to handle the intense publicity after she said during this year's Miss USA pageant that she was opposed to same-sex marriage.

___