Lady Gaga just sent a wonderful message of LGBT pride at the start of her Joanne world tour
Lady Gaga has a history of LGBT activism.
Just last week, she hit out at Donald Trump after his announcement that he intended to ban transgender people from serving in the military.
So when a rainbow flag was thrown to the front row at her concert in Vancouver last night, she knew exactly what to do.
It was the first performance of her Joanne World Tour, and she wanted to make a statement.
The star asked security to hand her the flag, then posed like the absolute and total icon she is, holding the rainbow aloft with all the pride she could muster.
“Needless to say,” she told the crowd, “I have a lot to say about this issue.”
She continued, quoting her own lyrics: “But the most important thing I have to say about it is that everyone’s gotta love each other.”
The singer-songwriter then launched into a rendition of Come to Mama while surrounded by rainbow-clad dancers.
The star was singing in Vancouver ahead of the city’s Pride parade on Sunday.
Her moment on stage followed her detailed, crushing analysis of Trump’s transgender ban last week.
Speaking directly to the President, she wrote: “The message you have just sent has endangered the lives of people all over the United States and overseas bravely serving our nation”.
“Research says at least 1/2 of High School, University Students, & Employed Young People rarely/never discuss mental issues w/ anyone,” she continued.
“Many of these young people are transgender & suffer daily from the exact types of social isolation & targeting ur message encourages”.
“Sincerely, did you know of the group you singled out today, 45% of them ages (18 to 24) have attempted suicide already?
“Within the Trans Community are many also who are strong & brave. They should be able to serve if they wish. To have honor if they do,” she concluded.
The ban, announced last week by Trump in three tweets, sparked outrage from LGBT people across the world and was condemned by everyone from former Vice President Joe Biden to acting star Laverne Cox.
The positions of more than 15,000 trans people in the military are now in immediate danger.
Transgender Navy SEAL Team 6 member Kristin Beck, who served for 20 years in the unit whose troops killed Osama bin Laden, challenged Trump to tell her that she was “not worthy” to her face.
The ban was announced despite the revelation that the Pentagon spends 10 times more on erectile dysfunction medication than it would on trans medical expenses.
The American Civil Liberties Union vowed to fight back against Trump’s decision by representing anyone affected by the ban.
And former Vice President Joe Biden said: “Every patriotic American who is qualified to serve in our military should be able to serve. Full stop.”
Watch the full video below:
