Don T Ask Dont Tell Speech Analysis

September 19 2010 was the date Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, who is publicly known as Lady Gaga, presented her “don't ask don't tell” speech in Deering Oaks Park in Portland, Maine. Germanotta was approached by the the Service members Legal Defence Network (SLDN) whose mission is simply “freedom to serve” the SLDN had planned to exert pressure on the Maine Senators to vote for the reform of the “don't ask don't tell” policy by using a public figure known for her contribution to the gay community. The speech was a successful piece in achieving the repeal a year later on September 20, 2011.

Germanotta presents several logical arguments in her presentation to expose her intention. Her arguments centre on exposing the American government’s

hypocrisy regarding its discriminatory policies against openly gay servicemen and women in the military. She believes that the government is selecting its recruits and not allowing them to have a metaphorical “buffet” of the American Constitution but instead is denying those in the military who are not heterosexual, the metaphorical “prime rib” of these human rights. As an avid advocate of gay rights, Germanotta persuades the audience by appealing to their emotions, their sense of equality and their national pride. Believing that the government is denying openly gay soldiers of their fundamental rights as American citizens, she is confronting and challenging their open abuse of the Constitution. Concluding with an emotional plea to her audience, especially those elected to power such as Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. She demands they repeal the ‘don't ask, don't tell’ policy or they should metaphorically “go home” and not stand in positions of authority.

A week before her presentation in Portland, Germanotta arrived at the Video Music Awards (VMA’s) wearing her now infamous ‘meat dress’. As a controversial entertainer known for shocking her audience with her artistic liberties, she wore the dress as a visual protest against the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. As a passionate supporter of gay rights and equality under the law, the dress represented her belief that "If we don’t stand up for what we believe in and if we don’t fight for our rights, pretty soon we’re going to have as much rights as the meat on our bones." She continued her meat metaphor when she presented her speech one week later. Accompanied by openly gay servicemen who had been discharged because of their sexuality, and who were also dressed all in meat uniforms, Germanotta explained how it was the right of all American citizens to have “the prime rib “ of what the American constitution had to offer rather than lesser cuts. Since the Service members Legal Defence Network (SLDN), whose mission was simply “freedom to serve”, planned to exert pressure on the Maine Senators to vote for the repeal of “don't ask, don't tell”, Germanotta acted as a their spokesperson and attention card. Germanotta’s audience was a mixed bag. Aside from senators such as Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins who could repeal the policy, the entertainer also spoke to those men and women who were gay, not only in the service but out of it. She also appealed to those who were compassionate toward the discrimination faced by homosexual men and women; as well as those who were interested in equality and justice under the law, particularly when government practice was contrary to the Constitution.

To achieve her purpose Germanotta uses many persuasive language techniques in “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

Her use of the metaphor “the prime rib of America” is a reminder that freedom and equality are the right of all  citizens according to the American Constitution but the American government are flouting this right when it comes to the Gay and Lesbian community. She also draws a parallel between the defendants of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and the defendants in the murder of Matthew Shepard. By incorporating the highly publicised case of the torture and murder of homosexual Shepard , and reminding America how his death became a catalyst for a nationwide movement of advocacy for laws against homophobia, Germanotta  works to expose the hypocrisy of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”  because the same situation is occurring but at a government level. This parallel of prejudice is especially important and effective in building her argument because the defendants of discriminatory laws seem to distance themselves from accusations that their discriminations are based in racism, sexism, or in this case, homophobia. The use of rhetorical questions  such as “doesn't it seem to be that ‘don't ask don't tell’ is backwards?” and “shouldn't I be made aware that some of us are just not included?” are used to persuade the audience of the injustice of “Don't ask don't tell” because. Germanotta also uses her personal voice throughout her speech and statements such as “I am gay” because she is voicing her opinion and lending her personal support to a cause for she feels profoundly. She detests the hypocrisy and is calling those people who hide behind their positions to be held accountable for flouting the rights of a sector of America’s citizens for whom they have no respect. Germanotta’s references to  political figures such as “John McCain” is an exercise in holding these men and women  ,responsible for denying homosexuals of their constitutional rights, accountable. Germanotta uses McCain’s words

to convey to her audience how his biased and discriminatory views are contradictory to  the American constitution and for this reason he should step down from office. 

On September 20 2011, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was finally and formally repealed, allowing gay and lesbian service members to serve openly in American armed forces. Although Germanotta’s speech was not the soul reason for the abolishment of this policy it was an important format that gained attention worldwide and pushed the American government to uphold the fundamental American values of fairness and equality that is outlined in the American Constitution.