Lady Gaga declared honorary citizen of Sydney for gay rights campaign
Lady Gaga was given the title of honorary citizen of Sydney last Tuesday for her support of gay rights.
The bisexual star was honoured by Lord Mayor Clover Moore, who called her a “powerful force” for gay people after she urged Australia to legalise gay marriage.
According to AFP, he said: “Lady Gaga has been a powerful force for the gay and lesbian community in Sydney and we have a rare honour for people whose achievements embrace the ideals and spirit of our city – the title of ‘honorary citizen of Sydney’.
“I would like to pay tribute to her for using her star power to focus the world’s attention on the prejudice still directed at gay men and women.”
Gaga is to play a concert at the town hall on Wednesday for 1,000 people.
Appearing on a talk show on Monday night, the star commented on the country’s current gay marriage debate. Prime minister Julia Gillard refuses to support gay marriage.
Gaga, who called for viewers to lobby the prime minister, said: “I am so against the way certain laws and restrictions send messages that one person is better than another.”
Sydney has an annual Mardi Gras Pride parade and a recent survey by Liberal MP Malcolm Turnbull found 72 per cent of his Sydney constituency in favour of gay marriage.
However, Ms Gillard has said that gay marriage goes against her traditional beliefs.
