Lady Gaga Launches ‘Born This Way Foundation’ Live From Harvard

Posted by Evan Rodd on Feb 29, 2012 in Pop | 12 comments

Photo: Charles Krupa/AP

“Led by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, the Born This Way Foundation was founded in 2011 to foster a more accepting society, where differences are embraced and individuality is celebrated. The Foundation is dedicated to creating a safe community that helps connect young people with the skills and opportunities they need to build a braver, kinder world.

We believe that everyone has the right to feel safe, to be empowered and to make a difference in the world. Together, we will move towards acceptance, bravery and love.”

That is the mission statement of the Born This Way Foundation, which celebrated its official launch at Harvard University today.

Joined by Oprah (you know she loves us), Deepak Chopra and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Gaga chatted with fans during a live YouTube broadcast of Wednesday’s event. Despite some technical difficulties, we saw Gaga answer questions, speak eloquently about the issues, and bring her mother on stage for the closing. The Guardian provided a play-by-play, for those of us who missed it.

We hear enough talk of violence and suicide in our community. I’m happy to see someone with so much influence standing up as an ally, and helping to raise awareness around the issues that matter to us.

What is your take on the Born This Way Foundation? Do you think Lady Gaga will help promote positive change? Can’t we all give peace a chance?

Let’s hear your thoughts, please. Videos of the event are popping up all over.

http://www.facebook.com/joylin.hall Joylin Hall

Love love love!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kevin-Michael-DAngio/723244414 Kevin Michael D’Angio

I’d prefer if a woman who wore a meat dress to the grammy’s wasn’t the one trying to spearhead the change for societal view of homosexuality. We have enough conservatives calling us freaks. Now we’re all just “little monsters”? Besides, while I do appreciate what she is trying to do, I honestly would rather have an actual out and proud GLBT celebrity or politician become our spokesperson to the world. I’d rather she helped more in the background and let us speak for ourselves.

JP JP

Wow. You’re right, she should totally just sit down and shut up because you don’t like the way she dresses. And all that money, all that positive press, all of the thousands and thousand of LGBT and allied youth who feel supported by both her music and her ACTIONS? They should probably sit down and shut up, since they’re inspired by a, gasp, heterosexual.
But I’m just speaking for myself. By the by, I’m gay, so I’m allowed to have an opinion on this right?

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1343043522 Paul Disastro

Yes you’re definitely allowed to have an opinion, and it wouldn’t matter if you are gay or not. What matters is that some people aren’t going to agree with your opinion, but you should respect theirs by NOT telling them to sit down and shut up.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Eric-Brazington/785406811 Eric Brazington

But he didn’t tell anyone to sit down and shut up. All he did is point out the positive things that Gaga did inside of the framework Kevin presented, that she shouldn’t have.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1343043522 Paul Disastro

Bravo sir. I had a much more vicious rant, but I honestly don’t feel like getting bombarded by other gays that don’t share and refuse to understand the opinion of you and others like myself.

Oh and thanks UB for putting a direct link to my profile so any stranger who doesn’t aagree can spam my mailbox.

http://twitter.com/mntnblaster Christian Lainez

This is what happens when you connect Disqus and Facebook. Deal with it.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=655997575 Daniel Campbell

Personally I feel the LGBT community is one of the most diverse minorities in the world–one that is suffering around the world. I will take all the help I can get. While I am not a huge fan of that genre of music, many in the LGBT world are, they feel she gives them a voice. I would never deny anyone who wants to stand up and be vocal for LGBT rights no matter what kind of dress they wore, hair color they have, etc. I respect where you are coming from; however, I do feel that it is a little narrow minded in the grand scheme of things. And note, I am not saying you are narrow minded at all, just the position held. Kind regards.
Anonymous

I think the “little monsters” moniker is apt. It’s an ironic interpretation of how conservative-minded people view us. They really do see us as monsters. By taking that name, we make fun of that mindset and remove its power. We did the same with other words in the past.

http://www.facebook.com/yuriftw Oceania Bare

#1 Gaga’s mom is HOT.

but I’m so proud of Gaga for doing positive things.
http://www.facebook.com/hannah.ward1 Hannah Ward

God, I love this woman.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Fernando-D-Riascos/1505565223 Fernando D. Riascos

That’s pretty awesome thanks Lady Gaga!!

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