When the news of Prop 8’s downfall hit the internet, one of the most raw and ecstatic responses was that of the one and only Lady Gaga. Which is not surprising, since the openly bisexual superstar has been one of the most vocal celebrities of the equality cause recently. Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s hard to deny that Gaga’s infectious enthusiasm and support has attracted and inspired millions across the world, and her message of peace and self-acceptance has changed numerous lives.
I’ve been lucky enough to see her inspiration work its magic on some of my friends first-hand, and it’s a beautiful thing to witness. While many developments have been achieved for same-sex marriage, there’s is still a long way to go, and undoubtedly Lady Gaga will remain on the front lines of love. So let’s take a moment to look back on some of Gaga’s top LGBT pride quotes that will continue to represent the hope and support this nation needs now more than ever.
1. “At the moments notice of PROP 8 DEATH I instantly began to write music. BUBBLE DREAMS FOREVER! FULL EQUALITY! THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING! REJOICE and CELEBRATE gay communities and straight all over the world. Our voices are being heard! Loud! SCREAM LOUD AMERICANOS!”
Lady Gaga’s now famous tweet of pride has been reposted countless times since being posted on August 4th, and within a mere 13 minutes of its posting had already been liked 8,170 times on Facebook. There’s a lot to love about this post -- the pure joy, the excessive use of capitals, the term “bubble dreams” -- but a personal favorite is the hint at a new song Gaga’s got in the works. A Gaga-fied tune inspired by the overturning of Proposition 8 is sure to be a prideful anthem for 2011.
More on next page...
\\\
(continued)
2. “They say that this country is free, and they say that this country is equal, but it is not equal if it’s ‘sometimes’...We need change now. We demand actions now.”
When looking for Lady Gaga moments of pride, one needs not look any further than Gaga’s speech at the National Equality March on October 11th, 2009. When Gaga literally screams at President Obama for change it is clear that she is truly doing something so few celebrities take advantage of: she is using her fame to help a beautiful cause. Gaga’s slightly rearranged rendition of “Imagine” the night before at the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner is also a must see. Changing the lyrics to John Lennon’s classic is a bit risky, but Gaga handles it with grace and passion. Check out her full performance:
And her speech at the National Equality March:
More on next page...
\\\
(continued)
3. “Tonight love and hate met in St. Louis. And love outnumbered the hate, in poetic thousands. Hate left. But love stayed. + Together, we sang.”
Before her St. Louis concert, Lady Gaga took to Twitter to warn her fans of a protest being held outside Monsterball that night. Her post requested that her little monsters stay calm and ignore rather than challenge the protest, and it was a beautifully heartfelt urge for peace in the face of danger. However, this brief follow-up tweet posted after the concert demonstrates perfectly the message of love and nonviolence Gaga is constantly sending to her fans. It may be simple, but it packs a heavy (and, of course, metaphoric) punch and a clear conclusion to what could have been a frightening night.
4. “I just want to be clear before we decide to do this together: I’m gay. My music is gay. My show is gay. And I love that it’s gay. And I love my gay fans and they’re all going to be coming to our show. And it’s going to remain gay.”
According to her interview in Out Magazine,Lady Gaga made sure Kanye West was well aware of this before making the decision to tour with him. That tour fell through, but Gaga’s solo venture Monsterball certainly stays true to its promise. Lady Gaga’s Broadway-caliber tour is a celebration of pride, equality, and self-acceptance that not only requests, but demands the audience be exactly whoever or whatever they want to be. Gaga embraces her fan base with open arms, turning herself into a loving parent figure who accepts her children no matter what. It’s no secret the world could definitely use a few more of those.
More on next page...
\\\
(continued)
5. “I’m not interested, Larry, in being a perfect, plastic pop singer that looks great in bikinis and is on the cover of every magazine. I’m more interested in helping my fans to love who they are, and helping them to reject prejudice and reject those things that they’re taught from society to not like themselves, to feel like freaks, that they’re not wanted.”
While many would probably argue that Lady Gaga is indeed the perfect pop star, the woman herself begs to differ, and on multiple occasions. Gaga often talks about the self-doubt and confusion she deals with in her own life, and how, through these experiences, she is able to relate better to her fans. The over-thirty minute interview on Larry King is a gold mine of Gaga info, from rumors about a lupus diagnosis, to her explanation of the term “little monsters,” to her relationship with the gay community (spoiler: it’s really positive). Once again, Gaga proves that she has nothing to hide and plenty to share. Kudos also to Larry King, a friendly and welcoming interviewer who looks wonderful in Gaga glasses.
6. “It’s always wrong to hate, but it’s never wrong to love”
During Lady Gaga’s “Fuse: On the Record” session, the interviewer appears almost hostilely challenging when grilling Gaga about her views on homosexuality. Gaga remains calm and collected, however, defending her claims and reinstating her belief that homophobia in the media should not be tolerated in any way. When Gaga talks about promoting nonviolence and positivity to help the cause, she is asked if sometimes acting out is sometimes necessary to make a point. “I’ll stay with Ghandi and Martin,” Gaga says, proving peace does make an impact.
7. “If anyone tells you that you can’t achieve your dreams, or puts you down, make your hand into a claw and tell them you’re a little monster and you can do whatever the f*** you want.”
The “Little Monster Claw” has recently become Gaga’s universal symbol -- a way for fans to connect during her concerts and in their own everyday lives. I personally prefer to see the claw -- however literal it may be -- as more of an abstract idea. Should you actually stick your fingers in your challenger’s face should the moment arise? Probably not, but knowing that there is a massive group of people out there who support you and want you to succeed is a victory in itself.
More on next page...
\\\
(continued)
8. “In fact, the Alejandro video...is a celebration of my love and appreciation for the gay community, my admiration of their bravery, and their love for one another, their courage in their relationships.”
It’s always interesting to learn the inspiration behind an artist’s music video, and it’s especially awesome to find that inspiration is the gay community, as Gaga mentioned in her Larry King interview. Why, however, the gay community is nakedly writhing all over Gaga in the video is a bit more of a mystery. Still, those moments only make her videos and ideas that much more intriguing and prove once again that we may never understand the conundrum that is Lady Gaga.
9. “I feel that homophobia runs rampant in the music industry, and that artists are allowed to speak openly in a hateful way, in a homophobic way, in a misogynistic way, and the press does not challenge them. And I’m going to be taking a very strong stance against that, and I am an artist who refuses to accept that behavior.”
Following the National Equality March, Gaga elaborated more directly on why this cause is so important to her. Not only does it affect many of her friends and fans personally, but it affects her specific industry as well. Homophobia is all too common in music these days, and too many excuses are being made as to why it can continue as it does. It doesn’t take being an international icon to make a difference, either. Everyone can take a stand, and everyone should.
10. “Everyone can access the parts of themselves that are great. I’m just a girl from New York City who decided to do this, after all. Rule the world! What’s life worth living if you don’t rule it?”
Gaga inspiration at its most concise showed up at the end of an interview with New York Magazine. The interview includes many bits of info from friends and acquaintances, but of course it is Gaga herself who gets the last say. Sure, not everyone’s going to end up a superiorly successful superstar, but it’s not international success that’s important -- it’s finding success within oneself. Not even Gaga can rule the world, but she sure can rock it- something she'll continue to do for a good, long time.
Get more entertainment from Rebekah here!
Follow SheWired on Twitter!
Follow SheWired on Facebook!
Be SheWired's Friend on MySpace!
