Lady Gaga speaks out for gay soldiers

Sep 18, 2010, 1:49 GMT

Washington - Lady Gaga got serious Friday, speaking out against a 17-year-old law that prohibits homosexuals from serving openly in the US military.

Shedding her controversial meat dress for a white blouse and black suit, the pop diva addressed US senators in a video on YouTube, urging them to repeal the law known as 'don't ask, don't tell.' She also asked fans to call their senators, before picking up her mobile and dialing two New York senators.

The 'don't ask, don't tell' policy instituted under former president Bill Clinton permitted gays to serve in the military provided they kept their sexual preference secret. But more than 10,000 men and women have been expelled since the policy went into effect once their sexuality was revealed, according to gay rights groups.

'I am here to be a voice for my generation, not the generation of the senators who are voting, but for the youth of this country, the generation who is affected by this law and whose children will be affected,' she said.

The Senate is to consider the issue next week as part of a military spending bill. A judge last week ruled the policy was unconstitutional, but it remains in place pending a government appeal even as the Obama administration is preparing to revoke the policy.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates in February announced plans to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell' and established a commission to study the best way to implement a new policy. That evaluation was expected to be complete by December 1.