Lady Gaga's Response to Piers Morgan's Tweets About Her Rape and PTSD Sets a Brave Example
Earlier this month, Lady Gaga agreed to meet with talk show host Piers Morgan after he questioned her admission to being raped and struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In a string of tweets, Morgan questioned the validity of celebrities who claim to have faced sexual assault and PTSD as a result, citing both Lady Gaga and Madonna. He also said PTSD is an illness which affects primarily military veterans and that legal evidence should be sought to back a rape accusation.
I wouldn’t automatically believe anything either Madonna or Lady Gaga claimed about their lives. https://t.co/4JJcP17cjp
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 12, 2016
I come from a big military family. It angers me when celebrities start claiming ‘PTSD’ about everything to promote themselves. https://t.co/IeSiGQkOjb — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 10, 2016
Gaga, in all her infinite wisdom, responded not with anger but with the desire to educate. She offered to talk to Morgan about the “mental health youth epidemic,” and agreed to an interview.
@piersmorgan I’ve work w/ our VP Joe Biden on helping educate people about why women don’t report, would love to share it w/ you some time.
— xoxo, Joanne (@ladygaga) December 13, 2016
@piersmorgan would also love to talk with you about PTSD, that it’s not just a “military” disorder. There is a mental health youth epidemic. — xoxo, Joanne (@ladygaga) December 13, 2016
@piersmorgan if anyone in your family suffers from it, I pray they have more good days than bad. It has affected me & my whole family.❤️✌️
— xoxo, Joanne (@ladygaga) December 13, 2016
While it would have been easy to shut down after an attempt to invalidate her experiences, Gaga stood firm and went high. By agreeing to an interview where she could be triggered and attacked, she’s sending a message to all survivors. She’s saying, “I’m with you, and I won’t let anyone belittle you.”
It’s just another reminder that we’re not alone, we matter and it’s our job to educate those who don’t understand, not just for our own peace of mind but for others’, too.
If you or a loved one is affected by sexual abuse or assault and need help, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
Left image by Pete Riches, right image via Lady Gaga
Blayne is a 26-year-old journalist who’s learning to manage depression, anxiety, PTSD, a job, adulthood and relationships. She lives with her three dogs and partner in an old house they love.
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