Madonna gave an amazing speech at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday in New York City, marking on that day in history quite possibly the first time a Boy Scout uniform has been paired with fishnets and red lipstick. In public, anyway.?
In her full BS finery, Madonna rocked the stage, systematically blasting the Boy Scouts of America for their small-minded and antiquated policy against gay membership, as well as touching on religious tolerance, bigotry, bullying, and Pussy Riot … and managing to invoke some of her own lyrics in the process.
Madonna was there to introduce award recipient, the delicious Anderson Cooper, and she made the most of her time at the podium. She began by joking about her thwarted aspirations of joining the Boy Scouts.
?I wanted to be a Boy Scout, but they wouldn’t let me join. I think that's fucked up. I can build a fire. I know how to pitch a tent. ? Most importantly, I know how to scout for boys.”
Then, jokes aside, she stated that she believes the Boys Scouts of America should ?change their stupid rules??and the audience roared in agreement. From that point on, her speech bounced around,?citing?well-known news stories to make statements about intolerance in its various forms.
While it's moderately challenging to take the words of 54-year old woman rocking a Boy Scout uniform seriously, she did make some lovely points. She seemed most present when she spoke about the bullying of gay, lesbian, and transgender youth, reminding the audience how personally she connects to that struggle?as a parent of teenage children.
?When I think about young kids in America who are being bullied and tortured, who are taking their own lives because they feel alone and judged, outcast and misunderstood, I want to sit down and cry a river of tears ? It's an atrocity to me, I don't accept it.?
http://youtu.be/ZI7wRDMsk5k
She also managed to work in her thoughts on Pussy Riot?s imprisonment … and not just because she wanted to say their name out loud.
?If President Putin sat in a room with Pussy Riot ? he'd probably want to fuck all of them, but anyways. If he did [meet with them] and he had an open dialogue with them about their point of view as young, creative women growing up in modern-day Russia, would he really have allowed them to be dragged away to prison for three years?”
Given Putin?s track record, I'm gonna say yes, he would have, to the latter question. And I suspect he pulls a somewhat higher quality ass than those Pussy Riot chicks?? but I could be mistaken. Regardless, who can argue with a light touch of vulgarity to freshen up a socio-political rant?
Finally, showing her exasperation with?pervasive small-mindedness,?she said:
?I don't know about you, but I can't take this shit anymore … I want to start a revolution. It's 2013 people. We live in America, land of the free and home of the brave? That's a question, not a statement.?
Then she wound down. And Madge?s ending tribute to Anderson, while showcasing her characteristic vulgarity, was actually very touching.
?You are an excellent journalist. You have the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen. And half of America is in love with you ? maybe more than half. But the reason that I love you is because you're a freedom fighter. You're a badass mother-fucker. And you are brave. And the world needs more people like you.?
Once again, Madonna broke new ground. Not only as a fishnet-wearing Boy Scout, but also very likely as the first person to call Anderson Cooper a ?badass mother-fucker.? He's a lot of things, that dear Anderson, but that's not necessarily the first descriptor that comes to mind.
When Anderson came to the stage, Madge and he made out so hard it knocked her jaunty, little hat askew. And gay men across the world wept tears of unbridled ecstasy.
john says
Congratulations to Madonna for continuing to support gay rights. She is a role model for women, men and Gay people everywhere.
madonna says
I do need the attention I already have it…I keep you writing about me so that’s how you get your salary. So look it up.
Kendall says
Speaking of “BS finery,” did you get all dolled up to write this garbage? I suppose it’s en vogue now to rip on Madonna, but the fact remains that she’s been a huge advocate for the gay community for decades. The ageist bullshit exhibited by the press toward this woman is utterly ridiculous. No wonder young women and men are starving themselves and petrified of aging.
Aaron says
What a mean and ridiculous article. I now know never to come here. Ever. Again.
Dako West says
Madonna looks like Annie Oakley or Mammy Yokum in that outfit. (google it) Not her best look. But the woman does know how to get people talking about her, even if she has become irrelevant.
Tia says
Writer DESPERATE for attention writes a load of nonsense about a female superstar who is a 30yr freedom fighter for gay & social rights. Where we’re you back in the 80’s & 90’s when she was fighting this battle? it was a time when Gay’s where treated like terrorists. Show some RESPECT. I think she has damn well earned it.
me says
@ Dako West: Irrelevant? Surely you jest? Anyone would die for a piece of her “irrelevancy”. She just had one of the most successful years of her already legendary 30 year career in pop. NO ONE has ever, or will ever, do the same.
Batgirl says
I really wanted to punch Madonna in the face for how badly she treated audiences on her recent U.S. tour. (In Boston, she didn’t get her ass on-stage until 10:20 p.m. and public transportation ends at 12:20 a.m. in Boston.) Anyway, despite her crappy, crappy new CD, I will always forgive her transgressions and artist burbs because the bitch has EARNED my respect as a sincere and genuine advocate for the GLBT community. F*** Elton John, who performed at Rush Limbaugh’s wedding for a big fat paycheck of $1 million. Madge is the real deal. I think this headline was intended for a story about U2, Beyonce, etc. You know, frauds.
dsloop says
When she queefs, dust comes out. She’s irrelevant and those of us who aren’t old could care less what an old hag thinks.