Video: Lady Gaga’s surprise message to Canadian school tackling bullying
Students at a Canadian school received a surprise message of congratulation from Lady Gaga last week after writing to her about a pledge they had drawn up to stop bullying.
Jacques St Pierre, 17, sent Lady Gaga a letter outlining what was being done at Etobicoke School of the Arts to ensure a safer environment.
St Pierre planned a school assembly devoted to raising awareness of bullying issues and encouraging students to sign the anti-bullying pledge.
The musician and gay rights advocate replied with a personal video message to the school’s students, which was shown as a surprise at the end of the meeting.
Lady Gaga says to the students: “I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you for being such a strong advocate for the LGBT community in your school. There should be more little monsters like you.”
The star said she was sending the message on behalf of her fan base of “little monsters” around the world.
She added: “It is important that we push the boundaries of love and acceptance.
“It is important that we spread tolerance and equality for all students.”
The star said that in light of the suicide of Jamey Rodemeyer this year, and the absence of charges brought against the students who bullied him, she would be working to “make bullying a hate crime”.
St. Pierre told the Toronto Star: “Sometimes schools talk about bullying but never make changes, I thought if I could get someone as influential as Lady Gaga to speak to students, that would make a change.
“When I showed it to the student council, they all cheered and screamed and freaked out.”
Lady Gaga concluded: “Have a wonderful day at school, and love each other. Treat each other with kindness because we’re all we’ve got”.
