Lady Gaga, the biggest pop star on the planet, is incensed by yesterday's decision by the US Senate to uphold "Don't Ask Don't Tell" for the time being.
In the last two weeks, Lady Gaga has campaigned for the abolition of the regulation like few other stars before her. She has taken part in several demonstrations and also used her eight-time triumph at the "MTV Music Awards" last week to speak out publicly against DADT.
Last night, the music and fashion icon vented on her website. "Tonight's decision was a huge disappointment. For me and for many young Americans. Not only because Don't Ask Don't Tell was not repealed by our Senators, but more importantly because the political tools were used to shut down a public debate on the issue in America that is desperately needed. I will continue to fight, I will not give up. I stand passionately behind the LGBT community and lesbians and gays in uniform and will try to politicise as many young people as possible."
In the US Senate yesterday, 56 Democratic senators voted in favour of the regulation, while 43 senators voted against it. A two-thirds majority would have been required to force a vote.
Don't Ask Don't Tell was introduced by the Clinton administration to circumvent a complete ban on homosexual lifestyles in the US military. The regulation prohibits officers from asking their subordinates about their sexual orientation. In return, however, gays and lesbians are not allowed to come out if they do not want to be dishonourably discharged from the military.
(Paul Schulz)
