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October 17, 2011
Judge Tom
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Lady Gaga creates PSA for anti-bullying programs

The suicide of 14 year-old Jamey Rodemeyer in New York in September, 2011, has prompted Lady Gaga to use her platform to stand up and speak out against bullying. Jamey passed away on September 18, 2011 in his backyard. He was discovered by his sister, Alyssa who attended the same school.

At a concert a few days later, Gaga dedicated the song “Hair” to Jamey, one of her “Little Monsters.” She also spoke briefly with President Obama about federal legislation against bullying. She has called bullying a “hate crime” and pledges to keep up her efforts  since her generation has the power to do something about it. She also created a public service announcement praising the work of 17 year-old Emily-Anne Rigal for her website: www.WeStopHate.org

Laws, although well-intended, are not the answer to changing a culture of disrespect and bad behavior. As psychiatrist Eric Caine of the University of Rochester Medical Center states in the following opinion piece, “Bullying laws are ‘off target'”:

Photo by Domain Barnyard

“Hateful speech, belittling people and constant or repetitive interpersonal intimidation are unacceptable, but can these common behaviors realistically be limited by legislation? Laws are no substitute for diligent parenting, thoughtful leadership and constant efforts by all of us to identify and limit bullying before it damages victims.”

In November, 2011, Lady Gaga announced her Born This Way Foundation, a non-profit charity aimed at empowering youth. In announcing the project, she stated “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 foundation will be launched in 2012 and will address issues including self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring and career development. Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, will direct the Foundation.

On December 4, 2011, Gaga received a “hero”award from The Trevor Project at their annual fundraising event. Her remarks included the following:

“I appreciate this award so much. But truthfully, I am not the hero. The hero is Jamey,” Gaga said in her emotional acceptance speech (found on YouTube).  “I want my fans and people all over the world to know that there’s always somebody that’s listening. But I want them to know they’re listening before it gets too late.”

Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

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2 Comments

  • Tulsa Divorce Lawyers
    October 17, 2011 4:00 pm count( 0 )

    My hope is that the suicide of Jamey Rodemeyer is going to jolt society into taking action – glad to see that Lady Gaga is stepping up.
    We agree, Matt. Netiquette lessons start in the home with parents from the day they buy their child a toy cell phone or computer. Bullying in all its forms must end. As Lady Gaga says, kids are “Born This Way” but she doesn’t mean that babies are born bullies.