Lady Gaga Calls DADT Denial of Equality, ‘Prime Rib’ of Country’s Values

By Devin Dwyer
@devindwyer
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ABC News’ Devin Dwyer reports:  Pop music sensation Lady Gaga delivered what was arguably the most political public address of her career Monday, telling a crowd of hundreds of fans in Portland, Maine, that the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy sanctions inequality akin to denying some Americans “the greatest cut of meat my country has to offer.” Dressed in a black blazer, polka dot tie and wide-rimmed glasses and appearing on stage against the backdrop of a billowing American flag, Gaga delivered an impassioned appeal to end the ban on openly gay and lesbian military service members. “I’m here because don’t ask don’t tell is wrong, it’s unjust and fundamentally it is against all that we stand for as Americans,” she said on the eve of a key Senate vote on a bill that includes a repeal of the law. The measure, which faces a filibuster by Sen. John McCain, needs 60 votes, including at least one Republican, to move forward. Gaga called out Maine Republican Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins to join Democrats in an effort to override McCain and end the discriminatory law. “To the senate, to Americans, to Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, both of Maine, and Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts.  Equality is the prime rib of America. 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 my country has to offer. Are you listening?” she screamed as the crowd cheered.  Gaga acknowledged arguments against ending DADT, which include a belief that straight soldiers may feel uncomfortable around gay soldiers, which could in theory harm unit cohesion and military readiness. But she said U.S. military service members should be expected to overcome any personal homophobia. “Doesn’t it seem to be that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is backwards?” said Gaga. “Doesn’t it seem to be based on the Constitution of the United States that we’re penalizing the wrong soldier? Doesn’t it seem to you that we should send home the straight soldier who hates the gay soldier? The straight soldier who has prejudice in his heart where the military asks him to hold our core American values.”  “If you are not committed to perform with excellence as a U.S. soldier because you do not believe in full equality, then go home,” she said.