Lady Gaga has hit back at claims that she uses the LGBT community to further her record sales. Speaking to the Advocate, she called criticism against her “ridiculous.”
Gaga said, “To say that I would use the gay community to sell records is probably one of the most ridiculous statements anyone can make about me as a person. I would say the top thing I think about every single day of my life – other than my fans, loving the music, and my family being healthy – is social justice and equality.”
The star is arguably one of the most visible and influential LGBT-rights campaigners in the world.
She illustrated her point by describing how she met a young gay soldier in Best Buy.
“He was afraid that he would be discharged and that he would be judged or found out.” Gaga explained. “He said that the fight in America against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the fight for equality made him feel stronger and made him feel safe, and he gave me his service jacket. And we just held each other and cried.
“Anyone who says that I’m not genuine is not interested in overcoming this fight. That was such a pure and wonderful moment that we shared and I remember thinking there’s no album sale, no number 1 that could compete with this moment. That is what the f**k it’s all about. What the f**k it’s all about is if I can write one song that could change one person’s life.”
