A bunch of bullied LGBT teens got what they deserved.

On Saturday night, Garden State Equality held their yearly Legends gala. Like any other non-profit trying to raise funds for survival, these fundraising events generally tend to be mostly about congratulating those who have worked tirelessly to achieve social justice, except this year I had a big surprise planned for a few people we were honoring.

In November 2010, I testified in support of the NJ Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights alongside other survivors of anti-gay bullying. As the only adult survivor to share their story, I was completely blown away by all the teens that showed up to testify and share their personal narratives of how they were able to triumph in the face of such adversity. When I got home the first thing I said to my husband was, "We need to figure out something special to do for these kids."

It all started with a simple ask for front row tickets to a Lady Gaga concert for a silent auction that we hold every year. We had no idea it would blossom into what happened this past Saturday. What started out as an ask for an auction item turned into Lady Gaga's mother asking ME if she could present an award to the bullied kids.

For the last four months, we kept a huge secret from everyone we knew: we were going to host at our table Cynthia and Joe Germonatta, Lady Gaga's parents. I've seen many posts on DU over the past few months deconstructing Gaga's music, image, and progressive activism and totally bit my tongue every time I came across a hater. I was so tempted to say something, but I respected the process and didn't want to jinx myself.

I got final confirmation that Cynthia would definitely be giving a speech and presenting the teens who testified with an award a week before the dinner. We were thrilled that Mama Gaga would be involved. Her speech was perfect, and after her remarks were over she invited the kids up to the stage to honor them, pulled her cell phone out, then held it up to the microphone so that LADY GAGA could give mad props to these brave kids for not only all they have been through, but also for their advocacy work in passing this crucial legislation.

I will never forget the look on their faces as Cynthia hugged them right after Gaga celebrated them.

:thumbsup:

I'll admit I'm not a fan of Gaga's music, but I like her politics.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at her passion and intelligence. I especially like her remarks about the United States.

"We are here today. . .to defend LOVE."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1Tnd0hBihU&feature=related

Bless their dear hearts. =)

A genuinely sweet woman, who spent every free minute talking to anyone who approached her. They are a very close-knit family and you can tell the reason their daughter is so smart and passionate is because of how she was raised.

Welcome to DU!

:hi:

The song. The video. All of it. And then I went back and watched the video for 'Paparazzi' and totally loved it...'Poker Face' and 'Disco Stick', blech.

But she has totally used the power of her celebrity for numerous LGBT issues.

*swoon*

Bad Romance video is just great.

:kick:

:hug:

the weller (okay, more well) we (and DU in general). You've been missed. :loveya:

The positive influence you've had on cultivating a community around here needs to be acknowledged and appreciated. You truly are part of the fabric that keeps this place together.

:bounce:

I can't tell you how happy we are to be able to make this happen for them.

:fistbump:

Thank you...

Especially after all they've been through. Fendi, one of the transgender kids who testified, had one teacher who made her sit behind a bookshelf, because the teacher didn't want to 'see her face.' She also endured kids pulling out her extensions as she walked the halls between classes.

I really like your avatar!

:hi:

We've been through a lot together, so I'm glad I could share this with you.

:hug:

Tell me it would't rock.

and thank you for taking care of those kids. :hug:

How amazing--great work! :thumbsup:

I'm happy I could share this with you. We've been there for each other throughout the years and you've seen how dedicated I've been to LGBT social justice. Thank you for always supporting me and cheering me up when I was down.

:loveya:

:pals:

The more I hear about this family the better I like them. :-)

Great memories for a lifetime.

I could tell she had great parents, because she treats other people with such respect. I hear stories. Cynthia is beautiful. I just love this story so much.

super boss, ultra cool, fab, marvy and da bomb.

It brought happy tears to my eyes!

Thank you for your wonderful work.

What a wonderful story and what a great thing ALL of you did for those kids. Cynthia is beautiful on the outside and clearly it's mirrored on the inside.

Those kids are, indeed, heroes. I love how you honored them!

:grouphug: :applause: :loveya:

Nice going! And you do realize there are some DUers who respect Lady Gaga, right? :hi:

So glad you had the chance to see this.

:hug:

Good for them, good for the kids, good for you.

She looks much less terrifying than her daughter. :)

Seriously, this is such a grand story. Gaga has two songs that I like ("Telephone" and "Bad Romance") but I could not agree more with her message of self-love and self-celebration. This is a wonderful story. Happy to rec.

but if she uses her fame to work good things she is ok with me
and it is so nice to see a close family doing good together
i did like her daughter on SNL she had a costume issue that she was having much fun with