Lady Gaga surprises crowd with empowering speech at Stonewall Day Concert in NYC: 'I would take a bullet for you any day of the week'
A very special guest took over Pride Live’s Stonewall Day Concert in New York City on Friday.
Lady Gaga hit the stage at the celebration, hosted by iHeartMedia, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
The cultural icon surprised the packed crowd with rousing words about her love of the LGBTQ community.
Opening her impassioned speech, Gaga screamed, "This is a historic day. You should be so, so proud of yourselves," to cheers everywhere.
"This community has fought -- and continued to fight -- a war of acceptance, a war of tolerance and the most relentless bravery," she continued. "You are the definition of courage, do you know that?"
The singer has been an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ community for years, and she shared that she is extremely appreciative for all that it's done for her.
"I may not, to some people ... I may not even be considered a part of this community," she added. "Even though, I like girls sometimes. I would never degrade the fight you have all endured, the adversity that you have all been through to truly be seen, to be heard, or the struggles that you've been through to love yourselves and to seek that love from other people."
"Honestly, I really, really love you," she continued, almost moved to tears. She said that the LGBTQ community welcomed her "in the most beautiful ways," which she said changed her life.
"The universe brought us together -- and we, together, we're a powerhouse," she added. "I really, really hope you celebrate every inch of who are you today. You were born this way, and you're superstars."
She thanked older LGBTQ advocates for their push for representation.
"You have fought to create a safe, more tolerant space for our youth," she shared. "It used to be unheard of to even come out of the closet, or be expected in any way to declare who you are. But now, children at very young ages are saying 'Mommy or Daddy, I'm gay. I'm a lesbian...I'm bi ... I'm not a girl, I'm a boy.'"
"They are telling their friends how to identify and speak to them," she added. "Many, but not all, of course, are aware of their ability to discover and name their own sexual identities, their own gender identities. They are finding themselves, and they are not as afraid, and you did that."
She said she had one question for the crowd: "What is your pronoun?"
"How do you prefer that I address you? You deserve to be addressed as you feel comfortable, respected and loved."
Gaga promised to continue to fight for more representation -- and to spread a message to be kind to one another.
She also specifically shouted out trailblazers in the LGBTQIA community who have made a difference, including late activists Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson and Audre Lorde among many others.
The singer also pointed that although significant progress has been made, there is still so much work to be done.
"We find ourselves also at a time where attacks on the trans community are on an increasing rise each day," she said. "I will not tolerate this."
She said activists, members of the LGBTQ community and allies should focus on "important dialogue" to "change the system of an extremely oppressive administration."
"Be bold and embrace the Stonewall legacy," she told the crowd. "Love each other, raise your voice and, my gosh, vote!"
"If we keep injecting the world with this message of unity and passion, imagine where we'll be in another 50 years from today," she added.
She pledged her commitment to continue to push for equality, inclusion and visibility.
"I denounce ostracizing people for who they are, I wish for there to be mental health provided around the country to teach people the importance of kindness and passion. Every race, ever religion, every color, every age ... every kind, you are it -- you have the power!"
Gaga finished her powerful testament to the community with a pledge to kill hate with kindness. "True love is when you would take a bullet for someone, and you know that I would take a bullet for you any day of the week," she stated.
Other notable attendees of the event included Chelsea Clinton, Valerie Jarrett, Cyndi Lauper, First Lady of NYC Chirlane McCray and Donatella Versace among many others.
