Since the story first emerged concerning the religiously-motived snub of a plus-sized Toronto beauty queen, it has gained national attention in Canada, sparked protests from the Canadian Pagan community, and generated loads of negative publicity for the Miss Toronto Tourism Pageant. Follow-up stories on the snub of Stephanie Conover, Miss Canada Plus 2007, for her interest in tarot cards and adherence to Wicca, have appeared in The Toronto Sun, The National Post, and The Globe and Mail.

“Stephanie Conover has been making headlines lately, but it’s not in her capacity as Miss Plus Canada 2007. Rather, it’s her connection to another beauty pageant – Miss Toronto Tourism, which takes place tonight at Harbourfront’s Radisson Hotel Admiral – that has been in the news. At one time, Ms. Conover had been invited to be a judge for the pageant, but that was before organizers asked her to submit a biography. It was in that description of herself that she listed Reiki and tarot reading among her interests. “They said that I would be unacceptable as a judge because I don’t possess an upstanding reputation because of these hobbies and that I should repent,” Ms. Conover says. She has since been dismissed as a judge and is considering legal action for what she considers to be religious discrimination.”

Stephanie Conover

“Ralph Hamelmann, who runs The Psychic Brunch, said 16 of 18 sponsors have withdrawn their sponsorship of the pageant.”

Ouch! That includes the hair and makeup sponsors, which means the contestants will have to do their own hair and makeup. The only sponsors left at this point are a limo service and a local fitness center. In addition, The Wiccan Church of Canada, and The Toronto Pagan Conference are organizing a picket line for tonight’s festivities.

“We’re going to have people from different religious organizations – Christians, Muslims and Hindus – as well as Wiccan groups,” said Tracey Hayes, a practising Wiccan and protest organizer. “We’re also mobilizing the gay community because we believe two of the organizers are members of an anti-gay organization. We’re getting support from right across the country. This is a human rights violation.”

Some reports claim they might even give tarot readings. It looks like the Toronto Tourism Pageant (which isn’t actually affiliated with Toronto in any form) should have thought twice before casually insulting an invited judge. For a pageant that claims to not be religious, it seems like a silly thing to dig your heels in on (even the pageant host, Elvis Priestly, is confused by it). After the dust has settled, do you think the winner tonight will want to put this win on her resume?

Tags: Canada, Miss Canada Plus, Paganism, Stephanie Conover, Wicca, Witchcraft