Lady Gaga just made a surprise appearance alongside Donatella Versace in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the uprising at the Stonewall Inn, which paved the way for gay rights.
Kicking off a weekend of LGBTQ Pride events in New York City, an emotional Gaga, adorned in over-the-knee rainbow boots and a Versace jacket, took to the stage to address an excited crowd at the Stonewall Day pop-up event near the historic venue.
“I’m so emotional today. This community has fought and continued to fight a war of acceptance, a war of tolerance, and of the most relentless bravery. You are the definition of courage. Do you know that? I feel so honored and privileged to even be asked to be here,” the now Oscar-winning performer said.
“I really, really love you. You are strong. You are so strong. You welcomed me into your community in the most beautiful of way that I will never forget. My whole life changed because of you.”
She concluded her empowered speech by telling the audience that true love is when you would take a bullet for someone and that’s what she would do for them.
Donatella Versace told the spectators, which included Bravo host Andy Cohen, that she was the first person her brother, the late Gianni Versace, came out to and if a girl in the south of Italy can accept it without question then everyone can.
“My brother Gianni was gay. I was the first person he came out to and I was only 11 years old. A little girl from the south of Italy — the most conservative part of Italy. I didn’t care who my brother loved. I cared only for his well-being and for his happiness,” she said. “If a little girl from the south of Italy can understand that, then surely we can all try to be more understanding of each other, kinder to each other and embrace everyone who is different from us.”
“I’m so proud to be here today with all of you in such a historic moment to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. I’m here to add my voice to those who are still fighting to create a world in which everyone is treated equally and with respect. A world in which we are all free to express ourselves and our different identities because that’s what makes us who we are,” she added.
Also among the many in attendance were Whoopi Goldberg, Victoria’s Secret model Josephine Skriver, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Bob the Drag Queen and Alicia Keys. The latter treated the crowd to a performance, including “Girls on Fire” and closing with “Empire State of Mind.” She said: “I love you. We’re in this together. May we continue to fight for tolerance.”
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