Pop icon Lady Gaga has voiced her disapproval of the negative reactions received by Dylan Mulvaney, a trans woman who marked International Women’s Day with a post that attracted hateful comments online. Lady Gaga, known for her staunch advocacy for marginalized communities, emphasized the need to distinguish between mere backlash and outright hatred.
Taking to social media, Gaga shared a heartfelt message alongside a photo with Mulvaney, expressing her dismay at the hostility they faced. “It’s appalling to me that a post about National Women’s Day by Dylan Mulvaney and me would be met with such vitriol and hatred,” she stated. The “Shallow” singer pointed out the mischaracterization of this hostility as a backlash by a newspaper, clarifying that “hatred is hatred, and this kind of hatred is violence.”
The multi-award-winning artist highlighted that the disdain wasn’t a backlash from fans who might have disagreed with something they did, but a wave of hatred. Despite being disheartened, Gaga was not taken aback, noting the significant societal work that remains in creating space for transgender individuals to be “cherished and upheld by all of us.”
Feeling a protective instinct over Mulvaney and the transgender community at large, Gaga praised their grace and inspiration in the face of “constant degradation, intolerance, and physical, verbal, and mental violence.” At 37, Gaga expressed her solidarity with the trans community and hoped for a society that honors all women and people of every gender identity equally.
In her message, Lady Gaga called for unity and acceptance, urging women and all individuals to honor the diversity and complexity of trans life, and to work towards a day where “people of all gender identities and races deserve peace and dignity.” She envisioned a world where gender identities are celebrated without discrimination, where every holiday is inclusive, and where every person is met with warmth and welcome.
Lady Gaga made a powerful plea for love and acceptance, stating, “I love people too much to allow hatred to be referred to as backlash. People deserve better.” Her message serves as a call to action for all to stand against hate and support the rights and dignities of transgender individuals, not just on International Women’s Day, but every day.