Lady Gaga at the White House sounds like a recipe for a bad romance (sorry, couldn’t resist), but the mother monster was at 1600 Pennsylvania on Tuesday to talk with senior Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett to discuss ways to make sure no child comes under attack, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other factor.
Lady Gaga’s appearance coincided with the Administration releasing a new analysis of state bullying laws and policies, summarizing the efforts currently in place to prevent bullying in and out of schools. The report shows that while states have made recent progress in enacting policies and legislation to address bullying, more must be done.
“Lady Gaga has described this cause as a personal one – she has said that as a child, she was often picked on for being different,” Jarrett wrote on the White House blog. “I am deeply moved by the way she has used her story, and her success, to inspire young people, and shine the spotlight on important issues.”
Gaga recently created the Born This Way Foundation, a partnership with the MacArthur Foundation and Harvard University, that will explore ways to help change the culture, the policies and the curriculum surrounding the safety of children in school.
Jarrett wrote that the Obama administration has taken steps in helping youth against attack. In 2010, the Department of Education made it clear to schools that allowing bullying against LGBT students can violate anti-discrimination statutes and in 2011, the Department reaffirmed students’ rights to form gay-straight alliances and other similar groups.
“Over the last three years, we have seen that when we work together on behalf of human rights, we can accomplish truly amazing things, yet too many young people still remain at risk,” Jarrett wrote. “As we continue protecting our children, we look forward to working with Lady Gaga, the Born This Way Foundation, and with every American who is willing to help make our society more kind, inclusive, and equal.”
(Photo: YouTube)
