Lady Gaga Claps Back at Transphobes: Advocating for Equality on International Women’s Day

Mar 11, 2024 - Lady Gaga, renowned for her advocacy and groundbreaking artistry, has stepped forward to address the disturbing anti-LGBTQ+ reactions surrounding her International Women’s Day post with actor and TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney. In a powerful Instagram statement on Monday, Gaga condemned the vitriolic response directed at Mulvaney, a transgender individual, for sharing a photo of their collaboration. She also criticized media outlets for downplaying the severity of the hateful commentary.

 

“When I see a newspaper reporting on hatred but calling it ‘backlash’ I feel it is important to clarify that hatred is hatred, and this kind of hatred is violence,” Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, wrote on Instagram while resharing Mulvaney’s post. “‘Backlash’ would imply that people who love or respect Dylan and me didn’t like something we did. This is not backlash. This is hatred.”

 

Mulvaney initially posted the photo with Gaga on March 8 to commemorate International Women’s Day. However, the post quickly became inundated with transphobic comments, with over 3,300 comments by Monday afternoon. The aggressive tone of the comments underscored the persistent discrimination faced by transgender individuals.

 

In response to the backlash, Gaga reiterated her unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community, acknowledging the struggles faced by transgender individuals. Despite not being transgender herself, Gaga expressed deep respect for the community's resilience in the face of adversity. She emphasized the importance of understanding and compassion, calling for unity in combating hatred and discrimination.

 

Gaga's vocal support for the LGBTQ+ community aligns with her longstanding advocacy efforts throughout her career. As she continues to use her platform to amplify marginalized voices, Gaga remains a steadfast ally in the fight for equality and inclusion.