Lady GaGa was escorted to MTV's Video
Music Awards by four gay military veterans impacted by “Don't Ask,
Don't Tell,” the 1993 law that prohibits gay troops from serving
openly.
Arriving at the Nokia Music Theater in
Los Angeles, Lady GaGa tweeted to her over 6 million followers:
“Silks, fabrics, shoes + jewels, fashion dreams + breaking rules.
Real heroes on my arms, tonight, is for us monsters, and our fight.
X”
The Alejandro singer, who
received a record-breaking 13 nominations, was escorted by four
clients of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), the
largest group lobbying for repeal of the law.
Lady GaGa's escorts were former U.S.
Air Force Staff Sargent David Hall; former U.S. Air Force Major Mike
Almy; top West Point cadet Katie Miller, who resigned her post in
August in protest of DADT; and Former U.S. Army Sargent First Class
Stacy Vasquez.
“Lady GaGa's recognition of these
fine patriots casts a spotlight on the unjust burden that 'Don't Ask,
Don't Tell' imposes upon the brave men and women who defend our
country every day, and further underscores why the Senate must
swiftly act to get rid of this despicable law for good,” Aubrey
Sarvis, executive director of SLDN, said in a statement.
A
federal judged ruled the Clinton-era law unconstitutional last week,
but gay groups – certain that the government will appeal the ruling
– are urging Congress to repeal the law now.
“With expected votes on the Senate
floor later this month, advocates of open service still have time to
contact their senator and urge them to show support for all our
veterans by voting to end DADT.”