“Born This Way” has long been recognized as an LGBT anthem, but its writer Lady Gaga doubled-down on its empowering message Thursday night (August 31st), specifically dedicating it to her transgender audience.
Mother Monster just kicked off her “Lady Gaga Jazz & Piano” residency in Las Vegas, which includes some jazz standards as well as jazz-ified versions of Gaga hits. Right before she tore into “Born This Way,” she spoke out against recent attacks on trans rights in the US.
“I’ve got something to say about trans rights in this country,” she said as she started the tune. “You got something to say, you gotta speak up right?”
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, but was quick to quiet down once Gaga began her triumphant piano chords. She let the pointed lyrics of “Born This Way” do most of the talking, but added a few words before wrapping up the song: “You know, sometimes you hear people say things like, ‘I don’t always know what to say,’” she added. “Just listen. Don’t say nothin’. Listen to the stories of real people’s lives.”
In fan-captured clips, you can hear audience members shouting “I love you,” “thank you,” and even “you saved my life” as Gaga played the 2011 hit, which still hits home all these years later. Watch Lady Gaga perform “Born This Way” in Vegas below.
Gaga’s Vegas residency continues through early October, and you can find tickets at StubHub, where orders are 100% guaranteed through StubHub’s FanProtect program. StubHub is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.