I feel like a majority of the time, somehow celebrities names are being put out whenever we speak about a topic in class, most of the time it’s on the topic of feminism or queer theory. We’ve spoken a lot about celebrities in pop culture and how whether or not they’ve contributed to the community. I feel like nowadays, because we’re so caught up with social media/ technology and stuff, the media and pop culture is one of the most effective ways in which messages are being sent to us. In Jack Halberstams article, the Gaga Manifesto, he focuses on “Gaga Feminism” and how Lady Gaga herself is a prime example of someone who strays away from the “norm” and society’s fixed roles. Looking from the outside, many people view Lady Gaga as this weird woman just because she isn’t exactly like the rest of celebrities. Little do people realize that she actually purposefully does, what we may consider “over the top” things because one, she doesn’t care what people think, and two, she is making a statement for the people who follow her. She has so much influential power in which I believe she uses for good, and to make those who stan her more comfortable with being who they are. I feel like her song “Born This Way” really made a statement with that one. I feel like making statements is what she is all about and just not caring about what people have to say about her. She was also the first to represent the LGBTQ community during her Super Bowl half time performance. I feel like this is exactly why Halbertstam uses her, among all the other celebrities out there because she is someone who strongly represents the community.
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SGST/ WOMS 200-011 
I too can see why Halbertstam would choose to focus on Gaga for his piece. In my high school, we had a small LGBTQ community and they sadly weren’t very excepted. I know many of them really REALLY were die hard fans of Gaga and looked up to her almost like there savior in a way. She really normalized “weird” and in a way many other students around them who liked her music and were hetero found her relatable as well…in a way making them more relatable to them. I saw a big change in how the “jocks” in my school were treating some of the LGBTQ kids. Not saying it was all thanks to Lady Gaga, but her and celebrities like her really did help “normalize” being “born this way” and making it more excepted and even “cool.”
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I agree that pop culture and celebrity ideals are extremely prominent in this class. However, have you ever wondered why? Some celebrities ideals are magnified and presented across media and can influence deviation from the “norm”. They essentially act as catalysts for and against queer theory. For instance, Lady Gaga appears to manifest much of our class’ working definition of what it is to be queer. She simultaneously confronts the male gaze and the gaze of an audience, embodying a female sexuality that dares to look its voyeurs in the face. She often refers to her fans, dubbed “little monsters,” as outsiders, “queer” individuals who don’t fit nicely into heteronormative patriarchal society; her concerts become mass supportive gatherings of self-proclaimed misfits.
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As shallow as it may be, I do believe celebrities and pop culture help the public to better adjust and accept unconventional ideas such as the LGBQT community. Celebrities such as Lady Gaga display that it is okay to deviate from the norm if it makes you feel more comfortable and happy. Not just GaGa, but the majority of celebrities have their own set of beliefs whether it be LGBQT, or ideals revolving around nudity/empowering the female body and other values perceived as unacceptable. While social media is known for its glamorous beauty shots and idealistic images of western beauty standards, it (predominantly Instagram) is also very liberal and has a massive following of LGBQT pages and blogs.
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I was a huge fan of Lady Gaga back in middle school. I really did think she was inspirational and incredible. I still do! I loved her weird aspects and aesthetic and I didn’t really realize until Born This Way that she was an LGBT icon. I remember when she dressed up as a man for her You and I single and this was really new for a hyper famous pop star to do. Lady Gaga was exploring her gender and ultimately a very unconventional pop icon. I think she is a perfect example especially since there were tons of rumors that she had a penis. She never exploded with anger and denied this statement, I even remember her saying that she found the rumors fun and intriguing.
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I enjoyed reading your blog post and agree with you when talking about Lady Gaga. Many people do not realize how much she actually serves our society and stands up for all sexualities. It is also hard because she gives off this persona that she doesn’t care about what she looks like to other people, which shows through her clothing and appearances. By her not caring what she looks like and dressing in odd clothing sometimes come off to people as strange or weird, like you said. People do not realize that she is purposely doing it to show how she is not a part of the “norm”. She is okay with being different and doesn’t need to prove to media that she is pretty or popular. She also raises awareness in her songs as well. I feel as though she is a great advocate for queer theory studies and a great role model for people who are struggling with being different.
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