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Posted May 31, 2011 by Chris Carpenter in GLBTQ
The Spirituality of Lady Gaga
I'm beautiful in my way, 'cause God makes no mistakes.
I'm on the right track, baby; I was born this way!
The outspoken, eccentrically attired pop singer known as Lady Gaga took the music world by storm in 2008 with her debut album, The Fame. Since then, she has had a string of hit songs, culminating in this year's new GLBTQ anthem, "Born This Way." It is the title track of her new CD, which was released in May.
Intrigued by Lady Gaga from the start if not exactly a fan, I had the opportunity to take in her current Monster Ball Tour courtesy of my best friend's Christmas gift of a ticket. More performance art than typical rock concert, she sang her impressive array of well-known songs off her first two albums, backed by a very attractive bevy of backup singer-dancers. I was impressed not only by Gaga's musical proficiency (she is a classically trained pianist) and stated refusal to ever lip-synch to recordings (it was apparent via a couple of vocal gaffes that she was really singing), but also by her dedication to a number of GLBTQ-related charities and her frequent interactions with her "little monsters," as she affectionately refers to her devotees.
Indeed, the degree of near-religious fervor that Lady Gaga inspires led me to consider the artist from a spiritual perspective. While her racy performances and occasional criticisms of organized religion no doubt raise the ire of many clergy members, I find her obvious faith in God ("or capital H-I-M," as she sings in "Born This Way") and genuine concern for society's outcasts most refreshing.
Gaga, who was christened Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, was raised in an Italian-Roman Catholic family in New York. She attended Sacred Heart Academy, an all-girls parochial school that also counts Paris and Nicky Hilton as alumna. Discovering an early interest in music and visual art, she frequently performed in school musicals and soon became one of the youngest students ever accepted into the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at New York University (Gaga just turned 25 at the end of March).
The superstar-in-training reportedly had a small circle of friends in high school but often felt ostracized for her unusual tastes in fashion, make-up and hairstyles. As Lady Gaga, she would eventually exploit this to the delight of many and the chagrin of others. She has also come out as bisexual. Her hit song "Poker Face" is about the conflict Gaga says she has often felt in her attraction to both men and women.
Growing up in New York City during the height of the AIDS crisis was another apparent influence on the young woman who would develop into Lady Gaga. From the very start of her career, she regularly donated some of the proceeds from her performances to Gay Men's Heath Crisis and other HIV/AIDS organizations. More recently, Gaga has generously expanded her philanthropic activities and contributions to disaster relief efforts in both Haiti and Japan, the marriage equality effort, the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and GLBTQ homeless youth. She is currently matching donations made to the latter cause via www.ladyvirgin.com dollar-for-dollar.
During the recent Monster Ball performance that I attended, Lady Gaga made two particularly powerful spiritual-religious statements. In one, she declared that society's perceived "freaks" weren't those in the arena watching her that night but were instead all those in "the outside world." This reminded me of Jesus Christ's frequent comments in the New Testament whereby he turns the tables on society's power-brokers, declaring the poor, the sick, the crippled and other outcasts the true children of God and rightful heirs to God's kingdom.
Later in the show, Gaga criticized those religious leaders and followers who use their faith to condemn and ostracize others. She shrieked "Jesus loves EVERYBODY!" at full volume to a rousing response from the audience. Her own song "Born This Way" is a bold reinforcement of this truth, perhaps most especially when she sings "No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian, transgendered life, I'm on the right track, baby; I was born to survive."
Last year, a middle-aged patient with end-stage Alzheimer's Disease was admitted to the hospice at which I minister. No longer able to communicate intelligibly or interact with others in a meaningful way, she still sometimes responded to music. Her favorite CD? Lady Gaga's The Fame. One day, I heard what I initially thought was someone moaning in pain outside my office. I went out to discover this patient joyfully listening to "Bad Romance" on her headset and doing her best to sing along! I doubt Gaga realizes the full, positive extent of her impact.
Lady Gaga strikes me as a genuine Christian with one of the world's largest pulpits at present, which she is admirably using at least in part to make life better for others. I still can't say I'm the biggest fan of her music--"Born This Way" aside--but when it comes to her faith and concern for our common humanity, I'm a believer.
Whether life's disabilities left you outcast, bullied or teased,
rejoice and love yourself today 'cause baby, you were born this way!
-Chris Carpenter
I'm beautiful in my way, 'cause God makes no mistakes.
I'm on the right track, baby; I was born this way!
The outspoken, eccentrically attired pop singer known as Lady Gaga took the music world by storm in 2008 with her debut album, The Fame. Since then, she has had a string of hit songs, culminating in this year's new GLBTQ anthem, "Born This Way." It is the title track of her new CD, which was released in May.
Intrigued by Lady Gaga from the start if not exactly a fan, I had the opportunity to take in her current Monster Ball Tour courtesy of my best friend's Christmas gift of a ticket. More performance art than typical rock concert, she sang her impressive array of well-known songs off her first two albums, backed by a very attractive bevy of backup singer-dancers. I was impressed not only by Gaga's musical proficiency (she is a classically trained pianist) and stated refusal to ever lip-synch to recordings (it was apparent via a couple of vocal gaffes that she was really singing), but also by her dedication to a number of GLBTQ-related charities and her frequent interactions with her "little monsters," as she affectionately refers to her devotees.
Indeed, the degree of near-religious fervor that Lady Gaga inspires led me to consider the artist from a spiritual perspective. While her racy performances and occasional criticisms of organized religion no doubt raise the ire of many clergy members, I find her obvious faith in God ("or capital H-I-M," as she sings in "Born This Way") and genuine concern for society's outcasts most refreshing.
Gaga, who was christened Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, was raised in an Italian-Roman Catholic family in New York. She attended Sacred Heart Academy, an all-girls parochial school that also counts Paris and Nicky Hilton as alumna. Discovering an early interest in music and visual art, she frequently performed in school musicals and soon became one of the youngest students ever accepted into the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at New York University (Gaga just turned 25 at the end of March).
The superstar-in-training reportedly had a small circle of friends in high school but often felt ostracized for her unusual tastes in fashion, make-up and hairstyles. As Lady Gaga, she would eventually exploit this to the delight of many and the chagrin of others. She has also come out as bisexual. Her hit song "Poker Face" is about the conflict Gaga says she has often felt in her attraction to both men and women.
Growing up in New York City during the height of the AIDS crisis was another apparent influence on the young woman who would develop into Lady Gaga. From the very start of her career, she regularly donated some of the proceeds from her performances to Gay Men's Heath Crisis and other HIV/AIDS organizations. More recently, Gaga has generously expanded her philanthropic activities and contributions to disaster relief efforts in both Haiti and Japan, the marriage equality effort, the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and GLBTQ homeless youth. She is currently matching donations made to the latter cause via www.ladyvirgin.com dollar-for-dollar.
During the recent Monster Ball performance that I attended, Lady Gaga made two particularly powerful spiritual-religious statements. In one, she declared that society's perceived "freaks" weren't those in the arena watching her that night but were instead all those in "the outside world." This reminded me of Jesus Christ's frequent comments in the New Testament whereby he turns the tables on society's power-brokers, declaring the poor, the sick, the crippled and other outcasts the true children of God and rightful heirs to God's kingdom.
Later in the show, Gaga criticized those religious leaders and followers who use their faith to condemn and ostracize others. She shrieked "Jesus loves EVERYBODY!" at full volume to a rousing response from the audience. Her own song "Born This Way" is a bold reinforcement of this truth, perhaps most especially when she sings "No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian, transgendered life, I'm on the right track, baby; I was born to survive."
Last year, a middle-aged patient with end-stage Alzheimer's Disease was admitted to the hospice at which I minister. No longer able to communicate intelligibly or interact with others in a meaningful way, she still sometimes responded to music. Her favorite CD? Lady Gaga's The Fame. One day, I heard what I initially thought was someone moaning in pain outside my office. I went out to discover this patient joyfully listening to "Bad Romance" on her headset and doing her best to sing along! I doubt Gaga realizes the full, positive extent of her impact.
Lady Gaga strikes me as a genuine Christian with one of the world's largest pulpits at present, which she is admirably using at least in part to make life better for others. I still can't say I'm the biggest fan of her music--"Born This Way" aside--but when it comes to her faith and concern for our common humanity, I'm a believer.
Whether life's disabilities left you outcast, bullied or teased,
rejoice and love yourself today 'cause baby, you were born this way!
-Chris Carpenter
Tags:
Spirituality, Lady Gaga, God, Pop Singer, Born This Way, Religious, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, Italian-Roman Catholic, New York, Sacred Heart Academy, Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, Gay Men's Health Crisis, HIV/AIDS Organizations, Disaster Relief, Haiti, Japan, Chrisitan, Chris Carpenter
Stormie wrote at June 20, 2011
0 Votes 
All of the things Lady Gaga has done and what she represents is great. She really does love her fans and I think she truely believes that every is loved by Jesus. Her songs make very bold statements. I am just not sure if people that listen to them actually recognize what they are saying.. What do you think?
English (US) 