Sunday, February 5, 2012


So this week I want to talk about Lady Gaga and her using her celebrity status to help forward the GLBT community. Ever since her first album in 2008 (The Fame) she has become an international superstar. After she became a singing sensation she started to use her influence over her fans to promote equality and acceptance to all.


On Oct 11th, 2009 there was a march in Washington DC to promote equality for the GLBT community. Lady Gaga was a speaker at this march. She started the speech by talking about how this moment was, "This is the single most important moment of her career." She also talked about how happy she was to see so many young people out at the march taking a stand for equality. Then she talked about how, "It's not equal if it is  sometimes." A lot of celebrities are scared to take a political stance on things such as this because they're afraid to lose their fans. Lady Gaga obviously does not feel this way. She spoke to Obama about how, "We need the change now." She also spoke out against homophobic actions in the music industry. Below in the whole speech that she gave at the rally.


National Equality March on Washington 2009


In February of 2011 Lady Gaga released this song from her new title album called "Born This Way." The song has strong messages of acceptance of oneself and also of accepting people for who they are. In the song the lyrics actually say, 
"Whether life's disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
'Cause baby, you were born this way
No matter gay, straight or bi
Lesbian, transgendered life
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born to survive."
The whole song basically talks about loving who you are and combating bullying and suicide. 


Born This Way-Lady Gaga


For the rest of the lyrics to 'Born This Way': http://www.metrolyrics.com/born-this-way-lyrics-lady-gaga.html


In the past few years there have been a lot of suicides and attempts because of LGBT bullying. One such kid who lost his life was Jamey Rodemeyer who was one of Lady Gaga's biggest fans. Even though Lady Gaga has been fighting this epidemic there are still kids who feel that the only way out is by killing themselves. She put together this tribute to Jamey and the rest of the kids out there who have taken their lives because of how they were born gay.


Gaga dedicating performance of her song Hair to Jamey Rodemeyer. A child who took his life because he couldn't take the bullying he received for being gay.


In just a few weeks Lady Gaga is in fact going to be opening her new non-profit charity organization the 'Born This Way Foundation' alongside her mother Cynthia. The organization will focus on helping kids overcome bullying and learning how to have the self confidence to continue to live happy and healthy lives. For more information about the organization please visit the website: http://www.BornThisWayFoundation.org/


Lady Gaga is a real inspiration to me and many people out there because she is not afraid to speak out against hate. She has also spoken out against the Westboro baptist church and their hate messages that, "God hates f-gs." http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/07/17/lady-gaga-takes-on-westboro-baptist/ and is using her fame as a message for love and empowerment. She to me has transcended from pop icon to activist.


For more information about Lady Gaga please visit her homepage: http://www.ladygaga.com/ or her bio page: http://www.ladygaga.com/bio/default.aspx


Jason


What do you think about Lady Gaga? Leave your comments below!





Posted by at

5 comments:

  1. JdFebruary 5, 2012 at 9:59 AM

    I applaud Lady Gaga using her fame to not only bring attention to this huge issue, but to actively help by launching the Born This Way Foundation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownFebruary 6, 2012 at 5:34 PM

      I do too! I actually wouldn't have known about the Born This Way Foundation if I had not seen it on her page. I hope it gets some more press soon!

      Delete
  2. Ally BlueFebruary 6, 2012 at 5:36 PM

    I have so much admiration for her. She's a talented singer, but more than that, she's a good person with the spine to do what's right even though it makes her a target for haters. Of course, I guess once you're as famous as Gaga, you're already a target. Especially if you've ever worn a meat dress. LOL.

    All this needless loss of young lives is just heartbreaking. The more people are aware of the ongoing issue of GLBT teen suicides and our options to help, the better. Thank you for helping call attention to it with your blog. I'm retweeting you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownFebruary 6, 2012 at 5:48 PM

      Thanks Ally! I was totally surprised (and yet not!) by Lady Gaga starting this organization. And yeah I guess once you're as big as she is you can't be liked by everyone. She is a force to be reckoned and it makes me love her even more! Also thanks for retweeting it!

      I'm not sure how many people can wear a meat dress btw haha!

      I wish that more people cared about the young. I know that a lot do, but it seems like very few actually do things about it and it is nice to see Lady Gaga doing something huge like this.

      Delete
  3. Kathleen SweeneyFebruary 21, 2012 at 7:55 AM

    Thanks for the post...I have admired Lady Gaga's "out there" creativity and virtuosity as a conceptual artist (some of her videos are just mind-blowing) and musician and was aware of her donations to shelters for runaways during her last tour. This foundation will be influential, no doubt. So great to know she taps her celebrityhood for the greater good beyond lip service!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)