Erin O'Flaherty is a talented singer and a graduate of the University of Central Florida, she's also Miss America's first openly gay contestant.
O'Flaherty is competing for the state of Missouri. Her platform, according to USA Today, promotes the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Trevor Project--a crisis prevention hotline for at-risk youth.
"It was inspired by the loss of one of my great friends when I was 13. When I was navigating the grieving process, I realized that there were warning signs and risk factors that were there that I completely missed," O'Flaherty said.
ABC reports that O'Flaherty is the first Miss America contestant to win a title after coming out. Many other contestants who are now openly gay including Djuan Trent, who competed in Miss America for the state of Kentucky in 2011, came out after competing. In addition, two Miss California contestants, Jenelle Hutcherson and Mollie Thomas, competed in 2012 but did not advance to the national convention are also openly gay.
"Through every major milestone of our nation's evolution, Miss America has provided a voice for women from all walks of life...Miss America contestants continue to be the best and brightest in the country, and we proudly support each and every young woman who competes in our national program," said Josh Randle, COO of the Miss America Organization.
The Miss America pageant airs Sunday, Sept. 11, at 9 p.m. on ABC.
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