Small watermark: www.readwithpride.com
The phrase “Born This Way” is so much more than a chart-topping Lady Gaga anthem, it's become a battle cry for LGBTQ+ youth everywhere seeking acceptance, mental wellbeing, and the freedom to thrive. Here at Readwithpride.com, home of the best MM romance books, heartfelt gay fiction, and top LGBTQ+ book recommendations for 2026, we know the ripple effect of pop superstars using their platforms for change. And no diva, yes, we're looking at you, Cher, does this with quite the emotional wallop as the incomparable Lady Gaga.
Let’s sashay through Gaga’s world-changing Born This Way Foundation, spotlight the unbreakable connection between pop culture and LGBTQ+ advocacy, and celebrate 35 stories where gay, bi, trans, and queer icons use their fame to fuel hope and acceptance.
The Power of a Pop Anthem
Cue the piano: everyone’s got a “Born This Way” moment, a time when a song, an interview, or an Insta post made us feel truly seen. When Lady Gaga belted out “Don’t be a drag, just be a queen,” she wasn’t kidding. The song’s impact went well beyond radio charts or gay clubs; it became the emotional backdrop to coming-out stories, Pride celebrations, and the quiet moments when you just needed to remember, “I’m okay as I am.”
At Readwithpride.com, we believe that MM romance books and LGBTQ+ literature change lives. But so, too, can a pop song sung loud and proud.
The Born This Way Foundation: Kindness as a Mission
When Gaga teamed up with her mom Cynthia Germanotta for the Born This Way Foundation in 2012, the goal was clear: boost youth mental health, stomp out bullying, and make kindness the trendiest thing in town. Their mantra? Make Kindness Cool. Validate Every Feeling. Eliminate Stigma.
Here’s what the foundation actually does, beyond the glitz, the Monster claws, and the couture-meets-crazy fashion sense:
- Channel Kindness: A storytelling platform, think Tumblr, but with more love and less teenage angst, where young people share their truth and foster connection.
- #BeKind21: It’s a kindness challenge for communities, schools, and your slightly problematic group chats, because everyone can use more kindness.
- Be There Certificate: A free, accessible mental health course that empowers LGBTQ+ youth and allies to support themselves and each other, available in multiple languages and growing every year.
- Our Minds Matter: Youth-led, peer-to-peer activism to end suicide and create safe spaces.
It’s all about boots-on-the-ground initiatives and radical hope, something we mirror every day at Readwithpride.com through community stories, gay romance novels, and resources for readers everywhere.
35 Stories: How Pop Royalty Rocks the Rainbow
Let’s get our hands dirty and look beyond Gaga for a second. Many of the world’s most beloved pop stars, think Cher, Madonna, Elton John, Sam Smith, and Troye Sivan, have woven LGBTQ+ liberation into their art, their advocacy, and yes, their very Instagram feeds. Here’s a rapid-fire look at 35 ways queer icons and allies power up the LGBTQ+ community, one headline at a time:
- Lady Gaga: Foundation grants, school visits, anti-bullying workshops, she does it all in those nine-inch heels.
- Cher: Endlessly outspoken, turning Twitter into a safe haven and donating to AIDS research for decades.
- Elton John: Annual Oscar parties raised millions for HIV/AIDS; his foundation is legendary.
- Sam Smith: Openly non-binary, honest about their mental health, and champion of queer ballads.
- Troye Sivan: From “Wild” to “Bloom,” Sivan’s queer storytelling is honest and celebratory.
- Lil Nas X: “Montero” as the mainstream’s satanic panic and queer self-love.
- Madonna: Queen of camp, drag, and the pro-gay speech since the ‘80s.
- Taylor Swift: Allyship that puts her record sales to work for legislation and visibility.
- Brandi Carlile: Country, Americana, and always unapologetically out.
- Halsey: Bi, non-binary, political, and “Nightmare” is the perfect genderqueer anthem.
- Hayley Kiyoko: Lesbian Jesus. The literal face of WLW pop.
- George Michael: Fought for his own freedom, then others’, in songs and actions.
- Freddie Mercury: The blueprint. Period.
- Demi Lovato: Talked about addiction, mental health, and non-binary identity while on the Top 40.
- MUNA: This indie-pop trio’s stage is a Pride parade.
- Adam Lambert: Open and proud on the Idol stage, changed everything.
- Janelle Monáe: Pansexual, gender-bending, and making Dirty Computer an album for the ages.
- Ricky Martin: One word: courage.
- Sia: Voice for the voiceless, especially queer and neurodivergent youth.
- Christine and the Queens: Gender fluidity, artistry, and pushing boundaries in performance art.
- Miley Cyrus: Outspoken pansexual icon who puts money where her mouth is.
- Kehlani: Bi/pan and a force for intersectional LGBTQ+ representation in R&B.
- Tegan and Sara: Twin activists who’ve raised millions for queer youth organizations.
- Frank Ocean: Changed the hip-hop and R&B landscape with one Tumblr post.
- Steven Universe Soundtrack Crew: Yes, a cartoon counts when it saves lives.
- Janet Jackson: Iconic support in and out of the spotlight.
- RuPaul: Drag race, drag rights.
- Annie Lennox: Advocate and voice for AIDS, LGBTQ+, and gender-based violence awareness.
- K.D. Lang: Pioneered authenticity way before it was safe or cool.
- Indigo Girls: Just a folk duo? More like an activism juggernaut.
- Will Young: Helped start important convos about gay identity in UK pop.
- Olly Alexander: A Years & Years stage is a glittery queer utopia.
- Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters): Their entire discography = queer joy on vinyl.
- Todrick Hall: Broadway + pop + fierce allyship on every platform.
- SOPHIE: Pushed boundaries of queerness and sound until her untimely passing.
How Kindness Turns to Action: Born This Way Foundation Impact
The numbers speak volumes. In 2022 alone, the Born This Way Foundation rolled out $1 million in grants across LGBTQ+ youth orgs in cities visited during the Chromatica Ball tour. Each city saw local, direct impact: think safe spaces, wellness workshops, and grants to groups like BAGLY, Café Momentum, and Civic Suds. And thanks to Gaga's ongoing commitment, every concert ticket literally funds hope: $1 from each is poured back into the Foundation’s mission.
Let’s not forget: during the Joanne World Tour, over 40,000 fans and community members were engaged IRL, 150,000 got trained in Mental Health First Aid, and youth-led service projects became a touring staple.
Power of kindness: Born This Way Foundation volunteers at youth event. Small watermark: www.readwithpride.com
Funding Hope: Who’s Putting Up the Glitter?
Pop star power helps, but impactful, lasting change needs actual cash. Gaga’s initial launch drew $1.2 million from her own pocket, $500,000 from the MacArthur Foundation, and $850,000 via Barneys New York. Now, the Born This Way Foundation partners with heavy-hitters like Deloitte, Starbucks, DonorsChoose, and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
This is where stanning turns to sustaining. If you’ve jammed to Gaga, Cher, or Sam Smith lately, maybe your next move is to support the organizations they partner with.
Where Music and Queer Stories Meet
Here’s a secret: the joy of queer pop and the heart of MM romance books live in the same place. They’re both about hope, possibility, and the radical act of loving who you are (and who you love).
If you’re looking for stories that echo the spirit of Born This Way, Readwithpride.com is your personal jukebox:
Find your next heart-stopping MM romance, immersive LGBTQ+ fiction, or gay thriller that’ll keep you up all night.
- Readwithpride.com – Your Home for Top LGBTQ+ Romance & Fiction
- Connect on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook for more bookish rainbows.
Pop stars, gay icons, and stacks of MM romance books: rainbow bookshelf realness. Small watermark: www.readwithpride.com
What’s Next for Pop Allyship & Rainbow Literature?
Born This Way Foundation’s five-year plan? Expand research, back more LGBTQ+ youth orgs, and keep putting radical kindness front and center. Pop stars will keep singing, dancing, and glitter-bombing for equality. MM romance books and gay love stories will keep dazzling readers and proving that being your true self is: dare we quote Gaga: the “most revolutionary thing you can do.”
If you’re hunting for your next favorite MM romance book, LGBTQ+ eBook, or want to join a supportive online gay book club, stick with Readwithpride.com. We believe that every story: chart-topping single or heartfelt gay novel: can change the world.
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Find queer joy, heartfelt MM romance, and your next bookish obsession at Readwithpride.com.
Gaga-inspired Pride parade featuring readers, musicians, and LGBTQ+ authors, confetti flying. Small watermark: www.readwithpride.com
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