Read the letters for Lady Gaga sent by two members of the LGBTQ community who are on the frontlines of the struggle against SB1070. We are asking that Lady Gaga meet with us so that she can speak out against hate and be a champion of our cause. We hope that she can spread awareness to her fan base, allowing us to create a LGBTQ movement with momentum against hate.
Hello Ms. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta,
My name is Victor Medina and I am an organizer/activist with a local human/civil/indigenous rights movement called Puente. I've been working with The Puente Movement for two years and know firsthand the assault that has been happening to people of color in our state.
The situation in Arizona has come to a boiling point. Our people are being attacked, targeted by the color of our skin, and how we speak by certain recent laws passed. One of the laws; SB1070 has been a huge slap in the face to people of color here in Arizona, targeting the Chicano/Mexicano/migrant community, and adding more power to the racial cleansing that is happening to a Latino rich state. Families are being ripped apart, people are living in fear, and local law enforcements are abusive and are a threat to our peace as people. The list of atrocities goes on, the pain goes deeper, and the negative forces that are trying to divide and conquer us is showing no signs of relent.
I come from a unique perspective in all this chaos. I’m a second generation Chicano who identifies as being gay male. I’m very active in my community and know firsthand what it consists of. A marginalized population of LGBTQ migrants lives without recognition or a space of our own. At this time when many are risking everything to stop SB 1070, many people within the broader LGBTQ community are still inactive with this human rights issue. There are moments when we feel like there’s no support due to the lack of space and awareness dedicated to this sensitive subject. My role as a person who cares for the people and goes out every day in triple degree weather to fight the power, is to turn the switch from off to on.
I would like you to see through the eyes of a transgender, drag queen, gay man, a lesbian woman or a dedicated fan that lives in this air of hate. How would it feel to live as a member of the LGBTQ community facing the prejudices of their society and on top of that, directly being assaulted with these laws?
You are someone who has exemplified rejection of our insecurities and to celebrate shame through your music and style. At the same time letting those few special fans who look up to you know you recognize who they are, and show that you care. These few that are dedicated to your music, embrace your style, and performance. Those few who are in the club and when one of your songs come on, they release that fear, and forget what fear is.
When you are in Phoenix, I ask that you take the time to meet with the community, speak out against sb1070, and to share your knowledge with your fan base to create a wider range of awareness and solidarity.
Sincerely
Vikter Medina
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I would like you to see through the eyes of a transgender, drag queen, gay man, a lesbian woman or a dedicated fan that lives in this air of hate. How would it feel to live as a member of the LGBTQ community facing the prejudices of their society and on top of that, directly being assaulted with these laws?
You are someone who has exemplified rejection of our insecurities and to celebrate shame through your music and style. At the same time letting those few special fans who look up to you know you recognize who they are, and show that you care. These few that are dedicated to your music, embrace your style, and performance. Those few who are in the club and when one of your songs come on, they release that fear, and forget what fear is.
When you are in Phoenix, I ask that you take the time to meet with the community, speak out against sb1070, and to share your knowledge with your fan base to create a wider range of awareness and solidarity.
Sincerely
Vikter Medina
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Hello Lady Gaga,
My name is Amelec Jaalam Diaz and I am an artist/activist who works with a local civil/educational rights movement called the Arizona Dream Act Coalition and a local human/civil/indigenous rights movement called Puente. I have been working with A.D.A.C. since I had a need to fund my passage for college. When the Senate Bill-1070 was in the verge of passage in Arizona, I became involved with The Puente Movement.
Arizona has been center stage with the injustices from laws such as SB-1070 and HB- 2271. The laws and the people behind the laws have been feeding on fake ideologies and misleading perceptions about Chicano and Mexican migrants. These laws have threatened the dreams of sixty-five thousands of undocumented students every year, families have been ripped apart and people are now living in greater fear.
I am undocumented and unafraid, while I also live an openly gay life. I have came out to my family, friends, professors and now to you. Coming out with my status as an undocumented citizen puts me in a vulnerable state. I am unwilling to do it as many others have for social change. Harvey Milk said “If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door. . . and that’s all. I ask for the movement to continue because its not about personal gain, not about ego, not about power, its about the us’s out there. Not only gays, but the Blacks, the Asians, the disabled, the seniors, the us's. Without hope, the us's give up - I know you cannot live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living. So you, and you, and you... You gotta give em' hope... you gotta give em' hope. ” The second time I came out I saw, no I mean the second time I came out I got to live the correlation. I am telling you my story because I wish the rest of the LGBTQ would see, as well as any other minor, that once was under assault.
I am one of your many little monsters and I embrace your celebration of what the rest of the society refers as “shameful”. There are many gay undocumented people and students who would love the rest of their community to join the movement for comprehensive reform starting with the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act). As well as the movement my fellow partner Victor Medina and I are creating.
When you are in Phoenix I ask that you please take the time to meet with our community and become informed about the situation in Arizona. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule and for all your work for the LGBTQ community.
Your little monster,
Amelec Jaalam Diaz
