Jul. 18, 2011 at 12:49am with 3,183 notes
lady gagamedialgbtqtransphobiaableismprivilegetransmisogynyfeminismfeminist critique
Dear Lady Gaga, The more I learn about you, the worse it gets. First, you allowed “Born This Way” to be played and performed without the line about supporting people regardless of their sexual and/or gender identities.  This was especially ironic considering that this song was supposedly written as a “gay anthem.” Then, there are all the times you have made transmisogynistic comments.  Although I strongly believe that gender policing is unacceptable, I don’t think you have handled these situations appropriately, to say the least.  You can’t combat transphobia with transmisogyny. Now, my dashboard is full of posts about your recent performance in Australia, in which you used a wheelchair as part of your costume.  As “Jesse Billauer, the founder of the quadriplegic advocacy group Life Rolls On,” rightfully said: ”I invite [Gaga] to learn more about the 5.6 million Americans who live with paralysis. They, like me, unfortunately, don’t use a wheelchair for shock value.” Let’s not forget that time you equated feminism with man hating, as if loving men and being a feminist were mutually exclusive. Because you are such a famous celebrity, your comments and actions are extremely significant.  Each time you express transphobic, ableist, and anti-feminist sentiments, you are sending a message to the world.  You are reinforcing the dominant ideologies which allow for the marginalization and oppression of the groups you claim to support. It seems that every time you take one step forward, you take two steps backwards. P.S. You are not, and will never be, the face of the LGBTQ community. Please stop referring to us as “the gays.” I do not find it particularly endearing or complimentary; in fact, I find your comments to be rather trivializing and offensive.   Update: Lady Gaga’s recent performance was in Australia, not New Zealand.  I apologize for the error.

Dear Lady Gaga,

The more I learn about you, the worse it gets.

First, you allowed “Born This Way” to be played and performed without the line about supporting people regardless of their sexual and/or gender identities.  This was especially ironic considering that this song was supposedly written as a “gay anthem.”

Then, there are all the times you have made transmisogynistic comments.  Although I strongly believe that gender policing is unacceptable, I don’t think you have handled these situations appropriately, to say the least.  You can’t combat transphobia with transmisogyny.

Now, my dashboard is full of posts about your recent performance in Australia, in which you used a wheelchair as part of your costume.  As “Jesse Billauer, the founder of the quadriplegic advocacy group Life Rolls On,” rightfully said: ”I invite [Gaga] to learn more about the 5.6 million Americans who live with paralysis. They, like me, unfortunately, don’t use a wheelchair for shock value.”

Let’s not forget that time you equated feminism with man hating, as if loving men and being a feminist were mutually exclusive.

Because you are such a famous celebrity, your comments and actions are extremely significant.  Each time you express transphobic, ableist, and anti-feminist sentiments, you are sending a message to the world.  You are reinforcing the dominant ideologies which allow for the marginalization and oppression of the groups you claim to support. It seems that every time you take one step forward, you take two steps backwards.

P.S. You are not, and will never be, the face of the LGBTQ community. Please stop referring to us as “the gays.” I do not find it particularly endearing or complimentary; in fact, I find your comments to be rather trivializing and offensive.  

Update: Lady Gaga’s recent performance was in Australia, not New Zealand.  I apologize for the error.

  1. imjustateenagewasteland reblogged this from certainlynotfrench
  2. certainlynotfrench reblogged this from mygayshoes and added:
    I lost all my respect for her a long time ago.
  3. duskroses reblogged this from the-last-secret-garden and added:
    I like her music. The stuff she’s done, though? Ennnnh, she’s fucked up a lot. >
  4. leatherlaces reblogged this from worldsbestdad
  5. mimi-memek0 reblogged this from mygayshoes
  6. worldsbestdad reblogged this from mygayshoes
  7. mygayshoes reblogged this from the-last-secret-garden
  8. the-last-secret-garden reblogged this from mylifeasasassymannequin and added:
    ^^^^I actually posted a link to something from this on Facebook and I have tons of friends who think Gaga is god’s gift...
  9. mylifeasasassymannequin reblogged this from offensivethingsladygagadoes
  10. lolasimone reblogged this from gaysagainstgaga
  11. permutationofninjas reblogged this from permutationofninjasarchive
  12. thesavagerevenge reblogged this from tea-and-anthropology
  13. myfishlysander reblogged this from tea-and-anthropology
  14. tea-and-anthropology reblogged this from mylifeasafeminista
  15. anemic-junkie reblogged this from gogogoriotgrrrls
  16. alicestardust reblogged this from mylifeasafeminista
  17. britta-edison reblogged this from mylifeasafeminista
  18. cr4zyassbitch reblogged this from anotherplacetobealone
  19. dazebras reblogged this from riotgrrrlberlin
  20. url-goes-here reblogged this from darkmagicandgumdisease
  21. loving-meow reblogged this from gothinn
  22. shecantbedead reblogged this from thecakewasburnt and added:
    Reblogging for the last paragraph. Seriously, though. Gaga’s (fairly) good at what she does. Not all of her stuff suits...
  23. thecakewasburnt reblogged this from darkmagicandgumdisease
  24. tookyourcookie reblogged this from thealinecee
  25. thealinecee reblogged this from hindenburgthecamel
  26. ihavelondononhold reblogged this from gertrudesnipples
  27. scruffyglitterboi reblogged this from queertheorist
  28. queertheorist reblogged this from unicorn-fish
  29. gertrudesnipples reblogged this from darkmagicandgumdisease and added:
    Dear Lady Gaga, The more I learn about you, the worse it gets. First, you allowed “Born This Way” to be played and...