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.