Image Credit: David Gabber/PR PhotosThe larger-than-life pop star who routinely plays to thousands in stadiums and sports arenas spoke from a much more modest stage today: a small podium in Portland, Maine.
As promised, Lady Gaga (pictured left at last week’s VMAs, with discharged gay soldiers) took her message of equality to the Pine Tree State this afternoon, speaking out against the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy to a crowd of several hundred at Deerings Oak Park. And unsurprisingly, she had a meat-centered metaphor for it all:
“I spent 48 hours trying to find the perfect thing to say,” she told the gathered attendees. “My address to you today is called ‘The prime rib of America.’” Click through to the jump to watch Gaga’s entire 18-minute speech (clips via Idolator).
According to a transcript posted on the local Morning Sentinel, she continued: “I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will defend the Constitution of the U.S, bear true faith and allegiance … I will obey the order of president of the United States and officers appointed over me, so help me God …Unless there is a gay solider in my unit, sir. That is the oath taken every day.”
“Equality is the prime rib of America, but because I’m gay I don’t get to enjoy the greatest cut of meat my country has to offer.”
Addressing the infamous Matthew Shepard case, she continued: “Doesn’t ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ seem to be backwards? Doesn’t it seem to you we should send home the prejudice? The straight soldier who hates the gay soldier, whose performance is affected because he is homophobic? He holds and harbors hate and he gets to stay and fight for our country. We gay soldiers, who harbor no hate, no phobia, are sent home … I’d like to propose a new law, a law that sends home the soldier that has the problem. Our new law is called ‘If you don’t like it, go home.’”
“Send home straight soldiers who fight for some equalities, but not for the equality of the gay… If you are not committed to perform in excellence because you don’t believe in equality —go home! I thought equality was non-negotiable.”
“If the Senate and the President are not going to repeal ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ perhaps they should be more clear with us about who the military is fighting for, who our tax dollars are supporting and ultimately, how much does the prime rib cost? Because I thought this was an all you can eat buffet. I have to pay extra, because I’m gay. I’m allowed to stand in line, get shot at, shoot a gun. But when it’s time to order my meal, to benefit from the freedoms of the Constitution, I have to pay extra. I shouldn’t have to pay extra.”
“My name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. I am an American citizen,” she reportedly concluded, before leading a chant of “Go home!” and exiting the stage.
More on the Music Mix:
Amy Winehouse to credit-hogging Mark Ronson: ‘You’re dead to me’
MTV Europe Music Awards: Lady Gaga, Katy Perry lead nominations
Taylor Momsen gets naked in new Pretty Reckless video
Soundgarden release first video in more than ten years
T.I.: Album in limbo as court issues summons
“Paparazzi”-covering phenom Greyson Chance expected to release music this fall
It was truly amazing watching it live, Made me like her again.
First of all I got some big news for Lady Gaga. It is a volunteer armed forces we have in this country. If other service memebers do not want to serve alongside homos like myself, they don’t have to re-enlist when their contract is over. We don’t need a new policy to kick them out. I was in the military for almost 11 years and I am as gay as they come. My work ethic spoke for itself. I also did not show up to work wearing a rainbow necklace to “express” myself. It was rare for someone to have a problem with me, and when they did, it was work related, not because of whom I was sleeping with. I am with Lady Gaga in wanting equality for everyone, but I don’t think that those who have problems serving with homosexuals should be penalized for not wanting to serve with them. A better solution would be to let the gays serve openly, and let those who do not want to serve next to them, get out of their contracts and pursue something else. Lady Gaga needs to realize that not everyone who joins the military comes from the big city and is used to seeing anything goes. I myself am from a small town and had never really experienced anything outside my culture. The first time I ate chinese food was when I was overseas. Anyhow I do agree with Lady Gaga that it should be Justice for all, not Justice for all(some restrictions apply). One last thing, tolerance and acceptance works both ways, it should not be if you don’t like what I’ve got to say and how I think, go somewhere else.
I think her “kick out the homophobes” statement was more rhetorical. If someone bullies or harasses someone who is gay, they should get thrown out. She is saying that if the military is going to discriminate, it should be against the haters.
But thx to you for your service. I’m as gay as they come, and I was too scared to join when I was 18. I wish I had though.
I agree that DADT should go away and I am a veterana and saw one of my close friends kicked out for being gay. I also thnk Gaga does not understand the military and has no business telling straight soldiers what they should and should not be comfortable with (we are all individuals). Gaga comes across just as one-sided as those that are for DADT. It’s called evolution and not everything in the military is liked by soldiers but we serve because of duty, love of country, etc…All US citizens should be able to serve regardless of sexual identity, but nobody is required to like it. Gaga needs to go to real military base with all types of soldiers and understand the life and culture. She means well, but she is not as informed as she should be.
I’m with you, Martin. I definitely feel that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell should go away. However, calling out the Haters and ostracizing them for ignorance is not the answer, either. When we keep antagoniziong each other, it just procreates more anger and hate. It does no one any good to try to “punish” those who are simply too ignorant.
I agree, Gaga has no idea what it’s like in the military, killing and watching your friends get killed. This stupid controversy (that Gaga is only milking to his/her advantage for publicity) is only a distraction to those serving, and Gaga probably didn’t even write that speech. DADT applies to ALL who serve, not just gays. I think it’s a good policy considering it works. If the majority protecting us outweighs the minority protecting us then the majority should be appeased, because anyone with common sense knows you can’t make everyone happy, and their life is on the line not Gaga’s. A pitiful publicity stunt indeed. Let the men and women in the service, including veterans, vote on this… Not entertainers who make money on being in the spotlight.
It all sounds so sweet,but the fact is that homosexuality is a perversion. It is a choice, no one is born that way. Repent and stop trying to spread this amoral behavior. There are so many teen suicides because they finally realize they were lied to by hollywood and liberal freaks like gaga.