Lady Gaga wants equality for gay soldiers

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Lady Gaga urged the military to dismiss gay prejudiced soldiers at a rally in America.

The 24-year-old singer proposed her own alternative to the US military's policy of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' - which requires homosexual service members to keep quiet about their sexuality on the proviso they won't be asked about it

Speaking at a gathering of over 2,000 people in Maine before the US Senate vote on the legislation today, she said: "Doesn't it seem to you that we should send home the prejudiced straight soldier who hates the gay soldier?

"I am here today because I want to propose a law called 'If you don't like it, you can go home'. A law that sends home the homophobes, that sends home the prejudiced. If you are not committed to perform with excellence as a United States soldier because you don't believe in full equality, go home. If you are not honourable enough to fight without prejudice, go home."

The eccentric pop star wore a long white wig, black suit and a patriotic stars and stripes tie to deliver her message where she likened equality to "prime rib".

She said: "Equality is the prime rib of what we stand for as a nation. And I don't get to enjoy the greatest cut of meat that my country has to offer. Are you listening? Shouldn't everyone deserve the right to wear the same meat dress that I did? Repeal 'Don't ask, Don't tell'."

Gaga - who recently revealed in a video blog that she wants to be the voice of her generation, addressing the big issues of the world - also laid down an ultimatum to the Senate and President Barack Obama.

She said: "I'm here today in this park, in Maine, to say that, if the Senate and the president are not going to repeal this 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, perhaps they should be more clear with us about who the military is fighting for, who our tax dollars are supporting and, ultimately, how much does the prime rib cost?"

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