Home
Politics
The openly bisexual singer -- one of the gay community's most prominent icons in a generation -- urged senators to vote to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell", a rule that requires gay military personnel to hide their sexual orientation or face dismissal.
In a black-and-white video posted on her website, the singer is dressed in a modest suit and tie, with a US flag as a backdrop, and looks somberly into the camera as she describes how "gay soldiers have become targets" under the 1993 rule that has seen 14,000 Americans discharged from military service, "regardless of how honorable or how valuable they may have been to their units."
"Senators, when you are sending our men and women into war, when you are sending our wives, husbands, sons and daughters into combat, will you honor their service?" the 24-year-old singer asked.
"Will you support repealing this law on Tuesday, and pledge to them that no American's life is more valuable than another?"
Her message is largely intended for Republican senators who have spoken out against the amendment, namely John McCain and Mitch McConnell.
"Advocacy by organizations such as the SLDN, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, have shown the inconsistent and unconstitutional enforcement of this law," the singer said.
"I am here to be a voice for my generation, not the generation of the senators who are voting, but for the youth of this country, the generation that is affected by this law and whose children will be affected."
After urging viewers to call their senators on the issue, she then pulls out a mobile phone and makes a call herself, saying she will leave a message for her senators under her legal name: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
Apparently the lawmakers, New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, got her message. After releasing her video, the singer thanked them on her Twitter account, and suggested she was ready to further press the case on repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell".
"It means so much that you support us on this issue," Lady Gaga tweeted. "Let's get this passed. Talk monday?"
Overtly sexual and often controversial, Lady Gaga has risen to the peak of the entertainment pyramid, with several number one hits that have become staples in dance clubs and on radio stations worldwide.
In June, Forbes listed Gaga fourth on its list of the 100 most powerful and influential celebrities in the world.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a black-and-white video posted on her website, the singer is dressed in a modest suit and tie, with a US flag as a backdrop, and looks somberly into the camera as she describes how "gay soldiers have become targets" under the 1993 rule that has seen 14,000 Americans discharged from military service, "regardless of how honorable or how valuable they may have been to their units."
"Senators, when you are sending our men and women into war, when you are sending our wives, husbands, sons and daughters into combat, will you honor their service?" the 24-year-old singer asked.
"Will you support repealing this law on Tuesday, and pledge to them that no American's life is more valuable than another?"
Her message is largely intended for Republican senators who have spoken out against the amendment, namely John McCain and Mitch McConnell.
"Advocacy by organizations such as the SLDN, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, have shown the inconsistent and unconstitutional enforcement of this law," the singer said.
"I am here to be a voice for my generation, not the generation of the senators who are voting, but for the youth of this country, the generation that is affected by this law and whose children will be affected."
After urging viewers to call their senators on the issue, she then pulls out a mobile phone and makes a call herself, saying she will leave a message for her senators under her legal name: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
Apparently the lawmakers, New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, got her message. After releasing her video, the singer thanked them on her Twitter account, and suggested she was ready to further press the case on repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell".
"It means so much that you support us on this issue," Lady Gaga tweeted. "Let's get this passed. Talk monday?"
Overtly sexual and often controversial, Lady Gaga has risen to the peak of the entertainment pyramid, with several number one hits that have become staples in dance clubs and on radio stations worldwide.
In June, Forbes listed Gaga fourth on its list of the 100 most powerful and influential celebrities in the world.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
