Regional News: Openly Gay Teen to Compete in Miss SC Pageant

An openly gay teen participating in the Miss South Carolina pageant in July is advocating for equality for everyone through her platform.

Analouisa Valencia, 19, of Lyman, started competing in pageants more than a decade ago and is currently the reigning Miss Lyman. 

Valencia, who is African-American and Latina, has been out since the ninth grade, according to a story in The Huffington Post.  She volunteers with Special Olympics and is an advocate for those with special needs and for equality for all people.

Valencia told Advocate.com during an interview that she had been asked how she would feel about a lesbian being named Miss South Carolina. Valencia's response was that sexuality doesn't define a person.

Read more about Valencia in her interview with Advocate.com.