Today, pop superstar Lady Gaga is celebrating the launch of her new campaign, the Born This Way Foundation.
The event will take place at Harvard University and be attended by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Boston’s own Mayor Thomas Menino. The Mayor will later join 30 Boston public school students for a youth summit on the issue of bullying in schools as part of Gaga’s anti-bullying campaign.
It’s a cause near and dear to the Mother Monster’s heart. Gaga started the Born This Way Foundation last year with her mother, Cynthia Germanotta. “My mother and I have initiated a passion project,” Gaga said to Rolling Stone in November. “Together we hope to establish a standard of bravery and kindness, as well as a community worldwide that protects and nurtures others in the face of bullying and abandonment.”
The celebrity duo will headline this event at Harvard today. Meanwhile, the city of Boston itself is stepping up to support the singer’s campaign. Businesses, politicians, and a statewide gay rights group, are all doing their part to endorse the foundation’s anti-bullying message. MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini praised Lady Gaga’s message but also pointed out that lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender youth in Massachusetts still face high suicide rates and other challlenges in Massachusetts.
“Lady Gaga is an amazing example of what one person can achieve by living authentically and sharing that message with others,” Suffredini said in the statement from MassEquality. “We hope that the additional resources and attention from the Born This Way Foundation will bring us faster to the day when all people are able to live open and authentic lives free of discrimination and harm.”
As part of the visit, Harvard Square businesses are offering discounts for their merchandise and will donate a portion of their sales to the Born this Way foundation.
Upstairs on the Square, for example, this week is inviting people “to come to our over-the-top bar, pink and gold and all dressed up just like Lady Gaga, for a glass of this special rose for $6 per glass, with profits going to the Born This Way Foundation,” according to Harvardsquare.com. And Zinnekans waffles “will be donating $2 for each totally sinful Lady Gaga & Oprah waffle (banana, whipped cream, dark chocolate and caramel).”
Local realtor Holly Donaldson of Coldwell Banker is donating 5 percent of her next home sale to the foundation, according to the Harvard Square Business Association. “The Born This Way Foundation addresses issues such as self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring and career development through research, education and advocacy,” Harvard Square Business Association said in a statement. “The Gaga nonprofit is in partnership with the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society and the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.”
The event is closed to the general public, but you can watch the launch of Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, streamed live here starting at 4 p.m. EST.