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For Immediate Release: Saturday, March 5, 2011

WNY LGBTQ RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS THANK LADY GAGA FOR LOCAL MENTION DURING CONCERT

Stonewall Democrats of Western New York and Outspoken for Equality would like to thank Lady Gaga for the statement she made during her concert in Buffalo last night. From the stage, Lady Gaga mentioned the need for NYS Senator Mark Grisanti (R-Buffalo) to come out in favor of supporting the civil marriage equality bill. 

Also during the concert, the artist and outspoken activist took to her Twitter and Facebook accounts with the message to Sen. Grisanti, writing: “Buffalo, we need SEN. GRISANTI to help pass NY STATE MARRIAGE BILL email grisanti@nysenate.gov #IWasBornThisWay”

Stonewall and Outspoken took part in the night’s events by stationing members outside and prior to the concert, collecting signatures for the Marriage Letter Project, a joint effort between the two organizations to gather letters addressed to state senators from NY constituents stressing the need for equality. “Our goal is to help our Senators understand how very important this issue is to all New Yorkers, not just the lesbian and gay ones,” said Kitty Lambert, president of Outspoken for Equality.  

Outspoken and Stonewall members collected signatures from concert goers in the hours before the concert. “We were extremely excited and proud to be a part of the Lady Gaga atmosphere last night,” said Bryan Ball, president of the Stonewall Democrats of WNY. “Lady Gaga represents great individuality, self-empowerment and total equality. It was a fantastic experience to gather signatures from hundreds of people from all walks of life—LGBTQ  people, their parents and families and straight supporters. We were absolutely thrilled that Lady Gaga used her power and influence to encourage Western New Yorkers to lobby our new Sen. Mark Gristanti on why it is crucial he support civil marriage equality in New York.” 

Outspoken for Equality and the Stonewall Democrats of WNY deeply appreciate the attention Lady Gaga was able to bring to the need for marriage equality in New York State, by reaching out to her masses of fans at the concert, on Facebook and Twitter and beyond. We also thank the Human Rights Campaign, which has a history of working with the singer on issues of LGBTQ equality, with a special thanks to HRC’s local representatives, WNY field operatives James Bragg and Errin Doyle for all their contributions to the night and event.

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