Lady Gaga, going slightly off script from Gay Inc.’s strict message of just repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, proposed a new law today: discharging soldiers who don’t believe in equality for LGBT service members. Jeez, hope the senators have time to mark up that language before tomorrow’s vote!
“Go home!” she screamed today in Portland, Maine at these anti-equality types, comparing the debate over letting gays serve openly to cheap cafeteria food vs. prime rib, which, ugh, was a pretty flat and uninspiring argument. (It went like this: “Equality is the prime rib of America … of what we stand for as a nation. And I don’t get to enjoy the greatest cut of meat that my country has to offer. ARE YOU LISTENING?!” Okay lady.)
Yes, Gaga screamed for the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, but she spent an equal amount of time railing against the soldiers who — folks like Sen. John McCain keep telling us — will freak out if they know their comrades are gay. Because they shouldn’t be allowed to serve, says Ms. Stefani Germanotta, 24.
Gaga is a wonderful live performer. She makes some very interesting music videos. She’s not, however, the best orator, and she showed that today. But that’s besides the point really. She got the cable networks tuned in. She mobilizes young people, even those who can’t vote, to start learning about and educating others about these issues. And she generates an enormous amount of interest in a civil rights matter that the millions of dollars in Gay Inc. budgets could never hope for.
How about we take this to the next level?
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So: Today’s speech was a little ridiculous, yes. But its effectiveness won’t be measured in whether Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins help pass the DADT compromise attached to the Defense Department’s spending bill, because one pop singer doesn’t have that power, little monsters. Whether Gaga is an effective gay advocate — a title I believe she’s already earned — will be seen in whether her tween fans are the ones explaining to their parents why they need to pick up the phone and call their lawmakers.
Jordan
She’s doing SOMETHING, which is more than we can say for a lot of our own mega-funded organizations. She might not be the world’s best orator, but we don’t see this level of advocacy from most people with a pulpit.
B
Why don’t we keep the acronym DADT but redefine it to mean “Don’t Act out, Don’t tell that you are homophobic,” a warning to straight guys with “issues” to keep it to themselves.
Patrick
She wasn’t insinuating she wants all straight soldiers who were homophobic sent home, she was using it to point out a double-standard. The law she suggested was to point out how ludicrous DADT really is. She made multiple great points in the speech (the use of homophobia as a defense, per Matthew Shepard, the idea of selecting bits of the Constitution to follow) and you pulled out the weak points in her speech?
She’s done more than any other pop star, or easily most people one could call celebrities, in terms of equality and civil rights in two years than most have done or promised to do in their lifetimes. I am 20 years old and because of her I have come out to my parents and embraced who I am and have finally grown to love myself. That may sound crazy, but there are tons of people just like me with the exact same story who have Lady Gaga to thank. Don’t waste your time trying to knock her, instead give credit where credit is due.
Alexa
The obnoxious Katy Perry could take lessons from her on being a friend to the gay community.
ben pin wang
She actually said something i have always been thinking. I am a teacher, and I can’t tell the good students to stay home because the bad students can’t catch up with them.
That’s the ridiculous issue mentioned by DADT supporters. You want to lower the standards? You want to keep your military to the uneducated, uninspired, unenlightened level? Why do Americans want to spend money on such a low grade, dumb headed troupe? So the lawmakers can keep the uneducated under their control? Educated them, educated everyone! Thank you Lady Gaga! And before we criticize her, let’s ask ourselves: what have i done to tell the world how ridiculous DADT is?
ben pin wang
She actually said something i have always been thinking. I am a teacher, and I can’t tell the good students to stay home because the bad students can’t catch up with them.
That’s the ridiculous issue mentioned by DADT supporters. You want to lower the standards? You want to keep your military to the uneducated, uninspired, unenlightened level? Why do Americans want to spend money on such a low grade, dumb headed troupe? So the lawmakers can keep the uneducated under their control? Educate them, educate everyone! Thank you Lady Gaga! And before we criticize her, let’s ask ourselves: what have i done to tell the world how ridiculous DADT is?
Kev C
Why is the audience full of 16 year old girls with braces on their teeth? Or are these farm animals wearing human costumes?
Jill
Again, the editors here need to get over themselves. They just look like assholes. I highly doubt they would have been more inspiring. (Not that anyone would ever even give them that kind of pulpit because they are so hateful and bitter.) Get over it guys, she is doing more than anyone else right now and doing it better too.
Diz
Why is there so much hostility towards Lady Gaga here? She’s trying to do something good at least.
Yellow Bone
Wow. I’m starting to think Queerty is owned by News Corp.
Justan
I think Jill summed up my feelings. To the ever-apparent assholes at Queerty, GET OVER YOURSELVES. Gaga has done more than our own goddamn President has. Try criticizing HIM for a change. Also, to the commenter mocking the “16 year old girls in braces”…they are the future of this country. If she inspires them to talk to their parents, then their parents will overcome their bigoted, outdated beliefs: and in the future, those 16 year old girls will be running for office, for an America that understands Equality.
I think Queerty is no longer for me. I’ve read many articles lately that just remind me of the same catty, pretentious, self-absorbed queens here in Utah that I can’t stand to be around.
GAGA for PRESIDENT. She’s DOING something. Thank you Lady Gaga, for always being a beacon of love, freedom, equality and self-expression. You are cherished by many.
Kev C
I’m going to join the army so I can kill teh enemies with my gun. lol.
Daveny
the gaga twats are out I see
DR
Is she the greatest orator? Nope.
Is she a brilliant legal mind? Nope.
Is she pointing out the absolute irony of DADT? Yup.
Is she mobilizing folks to get up off their asses and be political? Yup.
I’d say that the latter two certainly outweigh the former two.
QueerToday.com
Once DADT is repealed, I just can’t wait to sign up for the ARMY. I bet it will be super friendly, accepting, and safe.. you know, like high school was. And I really, really can’t wait to shoot and kill innocent Afghani women and children and get away with it. What a hoot! We should all put all of our money and resources towards repealing Don’t Ask Don’t tell immediately. We’ll come back for the 400,000 homeless LGBTQ youth another day, you know, after marriage is legal for everyone.
Jeff K.
You done good, Gaga. You done good.
AndrewW
Calling or emailing Senators? Are you really that stupid? Do you believe Senators are waiting to tally up calls and emails? Incredible, absolutely incredible that so many people would be so incredibly naive.
Gay Inc. and the numerous non-profit that continue to suck resources from our community have no idea what is going on – we don’t have 60 votes. We never have. these fools are playing you.
This will not pass and shortly after we will hear from gay inc. with the suggestion “we were so close, we just need more money.” It’s a charade. They are raising money, not delivering our equality. Wake the Fu*k up.
Chuck
Lady Gaga is showing that in addition to being talented, she is more intelligent than all Republican women combined. How can the voters of Maine stomach supposedly gay friendly Senators not doing so when push comes to shove.
Allen
Next time any gay person complains about the Democrats and even considers voting Republican remember…if Martha Coakley had won in Massachusetts the repeal would be a done deal by now.
Elections matter people and the fact is all 60 Democrats plan to vote for repeal while all 41 Republicans have expressed either opposition or non-commitment.
Shade
Do you all have some sort of serious problem with Lady Gaga this is what the 5th article criticizing her in the last few days.
aeont
Not all Democrats will be voting for repeal, Sen. Webb has said he will not vote for the repeal amendment. Whether he will help Republicans filibuster the bill is still unknown.
san
gay people wonder why we can’t be treated equal….will if we keep attacking the people who are trying to help speak up for us, we probably don’t deserve to be.
kevinVancouver
I really need some help here guys, I just don’t get it , this must be so frustrating for my gay brothers and sisters south of the border… all any other country hears (mine included, Canada) is how spectacular the USA is… drummed in over and over again, the best country in the world.. THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD! So what’s happened?? I mean for Canada and other countries gays serving openly in the military is a non issue, gay marriage a non issue…. For fuck sake’s get on board… I continue to be dumbfounded by the disconnect here… U claim to be the best US Govt? Start acting like it and stop acting like a cowering little bitch…
ps… Imaginary Lord have mercy on their imaginary souls should that Witch Christine O’donnell continue to make headway in the senatorial bid in delaware !
ossurworld
With friends like Lady Gaga, we’ll all be back in the closet soon.
Yellow Bone
@ossurworld: Good job, unknown Queerty writer.
While she’s bringing us visibility, you and this asstastic blog tear her down.