Do you really want to hurt me? Do you really want to make me cry? That’s what Lady Gaga is asking, I guess. Either that, or that’s what we’re asking her. Hm. These are some photos of Gaga in London from the past few days – actually, these were just her costume changes on Friday and Saturday. Are you not entertained? Do you not find Gaga to be a delightfully eccentric performance artist and brilliant, macabre monster? Or has her shtick completely worn thin? Eh.
On Friday night, Gaga did an exclusive party/album launch/private concert thing at Annabel’s in London. Annabel’s is pretty exclusive, which meant that Gaga’s audience included a lot of celebrities. Adele and her man Simon were there, as was Jessie J, Emma Watson, Bar Refaeli, Sting and Trudie Styler. Here’s something nice: Gaga has been in partnership with Belvedere Vodka for three years, and Belvedere sponsored this event to support the Global Fund and HIV/AIDS treatment.
Gaga also had some stuff to say about Tom Daley’s coming out as bisexual and the Olympics. Gaga appeared on Chatty Man and said:
“I don’t think that we should be going to the Olympics at all. I mean, I would never take anything away from their hard work, I just think it is absolutely wrong for so many countries to send money and economy in the way of a country that doesn’t support gays. They pepper spray and beat them in Russia.” While Tom will not compete in Russia next year, she added: “It made me very sad to see the pain that some of the gay kids are in in Russia, and for the world to send their finest for the Olympics. I can’t, it just feels so wrong and sad. I hate saying that because I’m so excited for those like Tom Daley to go and to win and to rejoice.”
I should note that some LGBT advocates are going back and forth on the issue of Sochi and Russia’s current anti-gay legislation. Some think that America should boycott Sochi to teach Russia a thing or two about human rights. Some think that America should not boycott Sochi, because it’s a more powerful image of aspirational inclusion if gay athletes, gay fans and gay families can all show up in Sochi and support their cause. But Daley won’t have to worry about that so much in Rio, right? Brazil is pretty progressive when it comes to LGBT rights, correct?
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
Here is my take. Those who want to participate, should. Those who don’t want to participate, shouldn’t.
In the end, boycotting is going to change nothing in Russia but it would forever change things for athletes who might have Russia as their only chance to compete in an Olympics.
I do not agree with Russia and their stance on homosexuality but I also do not agree with keeping our athletes home. It is a double edged sword.
Very well said.
Boycotting only works if a *significant* number of countries band together to boycott. That solidarity would be an incredibly powerful message to the world about civil rights of all people — regardless of real or perceived differences.
Yes. Exactly. Russia is not going to care if WE boycott. It would not be the first time that happened. The boycott has to include many countries and the reality, as sad as it is, it won’t.
Yup. In fact, Russia would rejoice if we boycotted. Now if several other key countries were included — it makes the Games a bit of a sham and the Olympians that won would have an asterisk next to their win. Not only that, Russia loses A LOT of money from the athletes and fans of said boycotted countries. Plus, the athletes of the boycotted nations might/could feel as if they contributed to something bigger than themselves. Now those actions have the ability to make a huge and lasting impression.
Sadly, I don’t think many want to risk their moment of glory (many means both athletes and countries).
Absolutely correct. The Olympics have NEVER been about politics, but about the sports.
With all the crap going on in our own homeland, seriously people need to shut up about human rights. Also, it’s not just gays that have “human rights” violated in Russia, but straight people as well.
Russia is a super power…..America won’t risk pissing off Russia and then getting into more trouble with China, who own the biggest/one of the biggest portions of our national debt.
Interesting no cry about human rights in China since they own our debt.
I disagree about your comment about the Olympics and politics as the Olympics have often been about politics.
But I have also noticed no harsh words for China. Nothing like good old fashioned hypocrisy, eh?
@LadySlippers, my thought exactly, politics plays a major role in the Olympics.
But it isn’t true. Many people were unhappy with the choice of Beijing in the USA and around the world. There was no more serious talk of boycott there than here. Most of those talking about boycott of Sochi are concerned about their traveling athletes.
Boycotting of the Okys sucks, though. 1980 and 1984 were tainted by the boycott and many wondeful athletes had to stay home. If people want to make a political statement, they shouldn’t award the Games to these cities in the first place.
Sorry, no. The Olympics have ALWAYS been about politics. Who goes, who wins, who drugs for the might of the motherland, the marks the judges choose to give, the flags flying… it’s all politics. It’s nice to think that a huge multinational event could be separated from politics, but it is both naive and untrue.
Well said, Eliza. I’m old enough to remember the last time we boycotted the Olympics. The only people hurt by it were the athletes.
I remember that too. It was very sad. I would hate to see that happen to our athletes now. I agree with others that showing up, being respected by your fellow athletes, and winning is the best message to send.
I agree. People train their entire lives for this one chance. I don’t think it makes a very positive statement by punishing our athletes for Russia’s effed up policies.
+1,000
It’s an awkward debate, where politics and sport collide. In New Zealand in 1981 we were going to play rugby in South Africa but it was the height of the apartheid and many people here thought that by going there to play would look like we condoned it, but the rugby team was sent anyway with the message being that sport and politics have nothing to do with one another. It’s been highly regretted ever since and admitted as a mistake on NZs part for going.
I know the Olympics is a different kettle of fish in terms of size, participating countries and recognition, but I can’t help but wonder if we’ll look back on it in 20 years and wonder why we (“we” as in any participating country) sent our athletes at all, when such discrimination is obviously wrong.
But it’s also a good point that for an event like the Olympics, that going and standing up before these representatives of the world to show your support for a cause being battled against may be the more effective action.
What would we as a world think looking back in 20 years time? What would we think was right to do?
agree
“But Daley won’t have to worry about that so much in Rio, right? Brazil is pretty progressive when it comes to LGBT rights, correct?”
That’s right. Same sex marriage is allowed in any Brazilian State.
One of the greatest black athletes in the world attended the Olympics in the 30’s, while Hitler held power and preached his Aryan message. This athlete showed up and conquered. There is a message here.
As for Gaga, she is a disgusting piece of trash whose time in the spotlight is fading. The Halloween costumes make her look so…..stupid!
True. Sometimes proving others wrong is better than any number of demonstrations.
Couldn’t agree more with both paragraphs.
Excellent post!
Boy, somebody is irrationally angry at Lady Gaga.
That first outfit she has on is so hideous, I don’t even think that Boy George would wear it.
I don’t think it is referencing Boy George. I think she is referencing Picasso.
Chagall also created art like that so it’s a nod to that movement is how I took it.
I don’t follow her activities so my question is, does she get dressed up in these costumes just for the heck of it or is she going somewhere where she has to be Lady Gaga? It just seems like soo much work! And so expensive, although I’m guessing she doesn’t have to worry about the cost of it all.
She looks really bad. She needs to spend more time working on her music than sitting in hair and makeup. I think she looks pretty in the black stringy outfit though.
Actually, brazil is very homophobic and racist, the difference is that we do not have a legislation against the gay… yet 🙁 As a brazilian, I can confirm it, it is very sad to admit it, I blame religious politicians (who else, huh?) I recomend you guys watch stephen fry’s documentary, “out there”, there is an episode in brazil, all soo sad 🙁
I think Brazil is a huge country. Therefore, implying the whole country is homophobic is a bit much, IMHO. Unfortunately, there are homophobic and narrow-minded people everywhere.
ps: Rio and other touristic cities in Brazil seem and are more accepting and respectful.
Gay marriage was legalized in Brazil at the beginning of this year! There is still a very conservative, religious political force (coughFelicianocough) that opposes to gay rights but they are minority. When it comes to racial and sexual orientation discrimination, I think we are a little ahead of the rest of the world. I can’t say the same about other things in Brazil, though…
That makeup and outfit is absolutely horrendous! Nothing else to say but Good God.
I don’t know about poker face, but that Picasso outfit makes me want to poke her face… I imagine she must lie awake at night desperately trying to think of what she could wear next to bring the shock value back into her “artistic” work. Wish she would tone it down and bring out an acoustic album without the gimmicky outfits to show everyone her talent is real.
Re boycotting the Russian Olympics, the world is definitely changing but not every country or individual will get there at the same time. Hopefully Russia has the chance to see that ALL athletes are dedicated and deserving of a chance to compete in their chosen sport without their personal lifestyle choice being discussed and vilified. I cross my fingers that Brazil will be much more open to focusing on the competiveness and fun of the games rather than the political points that can be scored whilst the world is watching.
Clearly Gaga doesn’t even know who Tom Daley is if she thinks a DIVER competes at the WINTER Olympics.
Funny!
That is what I was thinking. Do some research before looking stupid Gaga.
We sent Jessie Owens to the Olympics. He was a powerful symbol then.
I’M A PICASSO IM WAAAACKY! GIVE ME ATTENTION!
I don’t understand… So much crying for Russia violating some human rights, while no words for China violationg almost every human right? Double standards? Here you can see, it is not about some questionable human rights, it is (and always been) about money. While China is very generous to USA, Russia not so much, so this is the reason, noone yelling about illegal executions (if you really want, yes, gays are executed in China too), about one child politics (this is actually little better lately, at least I heard) and many other “funny” china actions.
And btw, what about USA violating human rights in Guantanamo, or in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc etc. What about my right for privacy? Why I have not the right for privacy, even if I am not US citizen or not in the USA? Isn’t that some basic right?
Americans are really funny or horribly uninformed. I really thought the time of cold war is gone, but now you show it is rooted in you and you can’t see clearly the world around. And I don’t think the situation in the USA is that good for gays either.
And no, I am not from Russia and actually, in my country we have every right to hate Russia, but we try to think objectively.
+1000
I mean DOMA was just voted down, I don’t understand the moral superiority angle coming from the US.
And for those citing Jesse Owens absolutely he was an inspiration and a symbol. But against Nazi racism AND American racism. So maybe it’s better to cheer on our LGBT athletes and the powerful example they provide against homophobes in Russia, in America and everywhere else.
I agree with many of your points, for sure, but nobody is seriously talking about boycotting the Sochi games. just a few individual athletes and a few celebrities and well intentioned fans/ activists. most of it has been about concern for the athletes and not making a political statement about Russia’s policies. as I mentioned upthread, there was also some underground talk about boycotting the Beijing Games too.
People are getting pissy about human rights in regards to Russia because gay rights are a hot, trendy topic and religious freedom, political freedom and freedom of speech just aren’t nearly as cool. Had Chinese leaders made such homophobic statements right before their games, everyone would have been in a human rights uproar.
Gay rights > displaced citizens and slave labor.
Does Gaga plan on boycotting US states that haven’t legalized same sex marriage?
The Olympics are supposed to be a non political event. The boycott of the Russian Olympics by America in the 80s was a mistake and it should not be repeated.
As offensive as the policy is, how can we hold Russia to a standard that America can’t even hold its self to? Same sex marriage isn’t legal in every state, there is no equal rights amendment for woman and while we have an African American President racism still exists in this country.
Those are good points about our country. We need to fix things here first before we point fingers at anyone else.
Exactly. Russia is no different than what America would be if the tea baggers had their way.
“Not legalizing same sex marriage” is not in the same galaxy as “making being LGBT illegal”, “endorsing violence against LGBT people”, and “making speaking out for LGBT people illegal”.
I hate the “we’re not perfect so we may never judge anyone else” argument. It eats its own tail. Are you a perfect human being? If not, what gives you the right to judge Gaga?
Look up some facts on the Russian laws against gay people. Not permitting people to marry is one thing, as wrong as it is. Not permitting them to EXIST is entirely another.
@Emily, I can see you are passionate about this and at it’s very core, I am sure we agree. I have looked up the laws in Russia, you do realize they are not executing people for being gay they are prohibiting people from discussing homosexuality in a positive light. The laws are disgusting.Boycotting the Olympics will change none of that. There are at least 70 countries that have worst laws than Russia’s.
I made no judgement of Lady Gaga. I didn’t talk about her silly outfit or her crappy new album. I said I disagreed with a boycott of the Olympics. I do get to express that. I just find it hypocritical she doesn’t seem to be making any sacrifice but she expects athletes do make a huge sacrifice.
Exactly, Emily. In Russia, the federal government has instigated a crackdown on gays that includes anti-gay propaganda at the national level, smearing of gay rights proponents, even jail sentences handed down on the merits of “evidence” of financial corruption taken from highly edited videos created by anti-gay activists who are spreading the message that gay activists are funneling massive amounts of cash from the West in a bid to take over the country, just as was said about Jews in the 20th century. People are going to jail for over a decade because they speak out against human rights violations.
Do you wind up being beaten and imprisoned in America for opening your mouth about gay rights? If such a thing happened, those of us who are sane would be appalled and we would speak out about the injustice. Apparently when one does the same with regard to another country, one is in the wrong. It seems an odd feature of people with inclusive and liberal values that we are frequently afraid of criticizing legitimately atrocious and unacceptable behavior for fear of seeming racist, prejudice, or unenculturated. What is going on in Russia is wrong on a level and scale that has not been seen in many first world countries in decades. If nobody speaks out about it and puts pressure on the government to stop, then nothing is ever going to change.
Gaga didn’t cancel her concert in Russia a couple of years ago when the same things were going on. She went in and made millions. Talk about a hypocrite.
Athletes spend four years day in and day out training for this moment. I am not telling them they should boycott it.
All this talk about Russia.. hell I just saw a story of a Teacher that was fired because he is gay.
When is the boycotting and protest going to begin on that?? Someone call Gaga ASAP
And if you bothered to pay attention to what is going on in Russia, you would see twelve year jail sentences and beatings handed down without a real trial because somebody is gay, or because somebody said that gays should not be oppressed and mistreated. The fact that one person has been discriminated against does not change the fact that discrimination is also taking place in other parts of the world, and with far more violence and intimidation from the power structure to back it. Start boycotting whomever you like, but I would imagine that if the teacher made national news, he has activists and lawyers fighting for his cause already. I wonder if the same can be said about somebody rotting in jail in a second world country for being gay?
Moreover, I give a very hard side-eye to anyone who demands a huge sacrifice from other people to conform to their moral/political/religious beliefs (of whatever kind) when they, themselves, do not have to give or lose anything.
Even if Gaga doesn’t perform in Russia, she has the rest of the world to do it in. The only reasonable comparison to an athlete losing what could be their only chance at this level of competition (physically they only have so many years to compete) would be if Gaga did not allow any sales of her music in any form to any country (or state) that had oppressive laws against gays. If she were willing to put her (own) money and career where her mouth is, I would have more respect for her position.
I completely agree with you @Anne. The only ones hurt by a US boycott are the athletes. Most of these athletes have ONE shot at the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of their career dreams. It’s easy for a moron who makes millions who has already achieved the pinnacle of her career to say, “Just don’t go because I don’t think you should.”
Johnny Weir, who is openly gay and married (he’s actually married to a Russian man), has said he doesn’t think the US should boycott the Winter Games. He explained during the Rostelcom Cup (a skating competition in Russia) a couple weeks ago that the Russian gov’t has assured the nations that athletes, family & fans will be safe and not persecuted while there. Granted, Johnny is a Russophile (sp?), but I give him alot of credit for speaking on the issue and trying to look at it from all angles and encouraging gay athletes to go to Sochi.
Excellent excellent excellent point Anne – your point about Gaga not risking anything or losing anything could be generalized to all celebut-rds attempting to wax intelligent about world politics. Terry Teachout of the Wall Street journal had a better analysis of this issue. Self-interest, not self-abnegation, with very few exceptions, rules the enclosed world of celebs.
And of all the intelligent and interesting commentators from across the political spectrum, why would anyone pay attention to this unintelligent narcissist.
GAH. I do not enjoy agreeing with Lady Gaga, but, well, I do. She also said it well.
Save me from all those hypocrites like Gaga. ““I don’t think that we should be going to the Olympics at all. I mean, I would never take anything away from their hard work, I just think it is absolutely wrong for so many countries to send money and economy in the way of a country that doesn’t support gays”….
Ok, do those idiots like Gaga that ask to boycott Olympic games realize that this event comes once in 4 years? Some athletes may have only one or two Olympics in their life. They LIVE FOR THIS MOMENT 4 freaking years. They train every day, they do competitions and every sinlge one of them dreams to get Olympic medal one day. And then goes people like Gaga: “Yeah, whatever. I respect you and all that, but we definitely should boycott those games you trained 4 years to get to. Because they don’t like gays there. We should teach Russia lesson. It will not care about that lesson. But we will show how principal we are”. Well eff you stupid Gaga!
For her this is some one brief moment that she will forget about in month. For those athletes it means whole life. And you know what? Gaga wants to ruin career of athletes but when it comes to herself – she took those russian money gladly. Wasn’t it last year when she was performing there? You know they never liked gays in russia. They didn’t like them too last year when Gaga was performing for them and taking their money. And who knows how many times Gaga gave private concerts for rich russian businessman on their birthdays ,
I don’t think that I even hear about any A-list musician who said he/she will cancel their concerts in Russia. They take those money. But hey – let’s ruin career and life long dream of american athletes.
And I don’t think there should be award shows for people that move their mouth during their performances. But that’s just me.
Oh, Lady GAga, gotta love her. I can see her trying to be conservative for like…5 minutes then…bahlamma…she’s back in trip wear. Thank god. I can’t stand when wealth and success render those celebs boring. Sigh of relief.
About the Olympics, it’s really a cultural thing. If we ignore them and leave them in the dark, well, they will stay in the dark and never change. We have to bring the bright rainbow colors all the way to dreary Russia. Education and exposure are what effect (affect?) change. Bahling.
What’s going to wind up happening is that everyone will once again go to the Olympics, which as per the usual will be held in a part of the world that is very troubled, and there will be massive demonstrations and rallies that will receive significantly more coverage due to the Olympics than they would otherwise. Win-win for all involved.
I know it’s incredibly cynical (but hey, that’s just how I am), but I really thnk this is just another bid for PR exposure & to improve people’s opinions of her. Her popularity has fallen hard lately, & everything she’s done with ‘costumes’ has been completely unoriginal, unimpressive, tired, & superficial. She seems every bit the opportunist, & maybe she figures that waving the rainbow flag while preaching against Russia might improve her image with the LGBT community.
She has no *concept* of how important this is to the dedicated athletes (of ALL sexual preferences) she’s ‘advising’ here, & just needs to sit down (if she even *can* in those ridiculous get-ups). I used to like her, but she’s just like all the rest, only saying & doing things purely for her benefit. (Harsh, yes, but believe it.)
When you look that idiotic,like you can’t dress yourself, no one really takes your opinion seriously.
Those athletes train for years to go to the Olympics. Who is she to decide on whether they should go? She isn’t the one doing is she? She is too busy being a pothead and deciding which idiotic outfit to wear.
I am gay and Lady Gaga is not my spokesperson. I am sick and tired of trying to be the Evita Peron of the LGBT community whenever she has a record to sell. She is a disgusting human being and I hope karma gets her.
If this is the worst thing that ever happens to you, you’re the luckiest person alive.
Do yourself a favor and get a real life instead of using a popular musician to fabribate your articifical problems. Because we’re all sick and tired of it.
xoxo
-Gay Tom
I don’t think Gaga should be assaulting our senses with her horrible outfits. “My eyes, my eyes!” (shielding face from offending photo). We should boycott her new album.
Gotta love a celebrity preaching about an issue, only looking at it from one perspective.
Boycotting the Games would only result in those attending getting more medals. Wouldn’t make any difference to laws in that country.
All of those athletes train for years and years for just this one moment that won’t come around again for four more years when many will be retired by then. Since you didn’t cancel your concert out of protest and went in and made your millions there a couple of years ago, shut up.
And your costume is a joke.
“I don’t think that we should be going to the Olympics at all.”
And I don’t think you should be displaying your naughty bits in public, you weird-looking f reak.
She looks like a f—ing idiot.
go away.
Will Lady Gaga boycott the U.S. states that don’t have gay rights equality by not touring there? How about she return all moneys made when she did play those states? How about she boycott the sales of her songs/albums in those states? Hypocrite!
Check out what happened to Pussy Riot when they made a stand against the Russian government (Putin). She issues dictums when it suits her PR train–trying to spotlight her as enlightened. If she truly wants “make a stand,” go over to Russia and issue a statement there. That would be truly putting your money where your mouth is instead of issuing dictums all the while in the sanctity of the U.S.
I know the party line is that Gaga’s fame has long peaked, but dayum, she’s been putting together some amazing costumes and looks lately.
I don’t think its fair to point fingers at Russia, when the US is not known as a country that is very accepting of gays either. So will Lady Gaga stop performing in states where gay marriage is illgeal? Will she refuse money from her fans who might be homophobic?
I think she and tons of other bandwagon jumping celeb are really un-informed about the Russian laws and policys and read whatever garbage that is displayed by biased american news sources. They should probably take a look at what how the US treats the gays and lesbians. Not very good.
And I am sure she has performed private concerts for racists, dictators and probably homphobic world leaders . Did she return any of that money or donate it to a gay rights organization? No she probably kept it and used that money on her horrible outfits.
And the Olympics is a sports event, not a humans rights summit. Why should we boycott something that the atheletes train very long and hard for?
Moron. That is all.