Lady Gaga took center stage at the Gay Pride Parade’s kick-off rally in New York City on Friday night. The singer was on hand to celebrate the demise of the Defense of Marriage Acts.
It was her first public appearance since undergoing hip repair surgery in February.
Gaga expressed her love to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community: “When I was in high school and grade school and younger, I was considered to be an outcast and I just couldn’t find my place. But there was a particular crowd who did accept me. There was a particular crowd who made room for me at their table, who held me up when I felt I couldn’t, who loved me for exactly who I was.”
She continued, “It was you who saved me. I saw God for the first real time in all of you. You were sent to me like angels to protect and save me. And to stand here equal to you tonight, it’s been a dream of mine since my very first experiences with the LGBT community.”
While clutching a rainbow flag, Gaga performed the National Anthem with a couple of extra words added for good measure. She crooned, “Oh say, does that star-spangled flag of pride yet wave.”
Check out her heart-felt rendition below:
Photo Credit: Video Screen Grab