Lady Gaga addressed her "fellow Americans" and the Senate this morning in a dramatic YouTube video as part of her ongoing effort to see the controversial Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, which prevents gays from serving openly in the military, overturned and asked her fans to join her and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network in repealing it. "It is my belief that no one person is more valuable than another," Gaga says in the over-seven-minute long, black-and-white video, flanked by the American flag.
Video after the jump.
"Our fight is a continuum of the ever-present equal rights movement," Gaga adds before urging her enormous fan base (a staggering 6.3 million on Twitter and over 18 million on Facebook) to contact their senators and singling out John McCain's moves to stop a vote from taking place.
The call-to-action is perhaps the singer's most forward step into the political arena. In her ever-growing role as an activist, Gaga has partnered with Human Rights Campaign, spoke at the National Equality March Rally, criticized Arizona's discriminatory new immigration enforcement law and, most recently, brought four veterans discharged from the military under DADT as her dates to the Video Music Awards.
(FILES)Lady Gaga wears her controversial meat dress, as she arrives in the Press Room after winning eight 2010 MTV Video Music Awards including "Video of the Year" at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Sepetember 12, 2010. Animal rights activists put a fork in Lady Gaga's meat dress September 14, 2010 but supporters rallied around the bizarre singer, saying her outfit was absolutely sizzling. The professional provocateur upstaged the MTV music video awards late Sunday not just by walking away with eight prizes, but taking that walk in enormous shoes and a nifty dress made entirely of raw steak. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Singer Lady Gaga accepts the Best Pop Video award onstage during the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on September 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lady Gaga
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Singer Lady Gaga arrives at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on September 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lady Gaga
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Singer Lady Gaga arrives at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on September 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lady Gaga
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Singer Lady Gaga arrives at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on September 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lady Gaga
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Singer Lady Gaga arrives at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on September 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lady Gaga
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Singer Lady Gaga arrives at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on September 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lady Gaga
Yikes! Looks like we've got another Natalie Means on our hands! Plus she's not even really an American. She was born in Latvia for God's sake. Why doesn't she just go back home? -- Yer pal, Ferrai Bubba
Ferrari Bubba, apparently you have no idea of how many military men are actually born in another country. I wonder, did you serve....being the supreme American Patriot that you are?
Who cares what Lady GoGo says.How can you take a woman who wears a meat dress seriously. She is just a publicity hound with mediocre talent. Just because someone is a "celebrity" doesn't make them more informed than anyone else. i defer to the Generals in the military to make that call, not Lady doo doo.
Your wrong Charley Lady GAGA is very talented and she is right Don't Ask Don't Tell has to go and it should be repealed. I have always felt Don't Ask Tell was lame to begin with I believe if anyone wants to serve in the military then more power to them.
You go GaGa!!! Gay or straight, everyone has a right to defend their country!! Their sexual orientation SHOULD NOT matter, they are just as brave as the next guy. They stand up for what they believe in, just like we do! They are patriotic, just as we are! They have every right to do what they please. Its wrong, just wrong!
This woman is entitled to her opinions like all Americans. It is best if she adheres to her chosen profession rather than enter a fray she can do little about. I appreciate her sentiments but not her arrogance. This matter is for the elected government, no matter how bad, to settle. GaGa, do not set yourself up as a demi-goddess and speaker for the people; you do not qualify.
so glad to hear someone that is gay say that. i'm so sick of these "entertainers" getting on their soap box and spewing out their opinions about politics....I certainly hate to think of our future generations forming their opinions off of some singer or actor instead of making well informed decisions on their own.
Think about what you just said. Taking a fearless stand to protect the equal rights of ALL americans. I do believe that in her opposition to the Arizona anti-ILLEGAL immigration law she is actually taking a stand against the human rights of the Americans that are being murdered, raped and driven from their homes.
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Yikes! Looks like we've got another Natalie Means on our hands! Plus she's not even really an American. She was born in Latvia for God's sake. Why doesn't she just go back home? -- Yer pal, Ferrai Bubba
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Ferrari Bubba, apparently you have no idea of how many military men are actually born in another country. I wonder, did you serve....being the supreme American Patriot that you are?
Who cares what Lady GoGo says.How can you take a woman who wears a meat dress seriously. She is just a publicity hound with mediocre talent. Just because someone is a "celebrity" doesn't make them more informed than anyone else. i defer to the Generals in the military to make that call, not Lady doo doo.
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Absolutely agree with you.
Must suck to be so rich...
Your wrong Charley Lady GAGA is very talented and she is right Don't Ask Don't Tell has to go and it should be repealed. I have always felt Don't Ask Tell was lame to begin with I believe if anyone wants to serve in the military then more power to them.
Any ideas how many decorated military men were gay?
You go GaGa!!! Gay or straight, everyone has a right to defend their country!! Their sexual orientation SHOULD NOT matter, they are just as brave as the next guy. They stand up for what they believe in, just like we do! They are patriotic, just as we are! They have every right to do what they please. Its wrong, just wrong!
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I vote to repeal you and Lady GaGa.
Lady CA-CA appealing to the Senate is the most laughable news? story of the month.
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Shut Up! Yeah freak show.
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This woman is entitled to her opinions like all Americans. It is best if she adheres to her chosen profession rather than enter a fray she can do little about. I appreciate her sentiments but not her arrogance. This matter is for the elected government, no matter how bad, to settle. GaGa, do not set yourself up as a demi-goddess and speaker for the people; you do not qualify.
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Very well said Magoos
Since when should we listen to such a self inflicted freak
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im waiting to hear what britney spears and paris hilton have to say about it first before i make my descion, lol ridiculous
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Ha ha ha ha ha
As a gay man, I am sick of "Gaga" taking on our causes. Your and entertainer. ENTERTAIN!
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so glad to hear someone that is gay say that. i'm so sick of these "entertainers" getting on their soap box and spewing out their opinions about politics....I certainly hate to think of our future generations forming their opinions off of some singer or actor instead of making well informed decisions on their own.
Thank YOU, Lady Gaga, for taking a fearless stand to protect the equal rights of ALL Americans!
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Think about what you just said. Taking a fearless stand to protect the equal rights of ALL americans. I do believe that in her opposition to the Arizona anti-ILLEGAL immigration law she is actually taking a stand against the human rights of the Americans that are being murdered, raped and driven from their homes.