People look on in shock. Whether viewing through the screen of the television or looking on through their own eyes from within the once cheering crowd, all mouths hit the floor in unison. No one speaks, a couple of seconds of silence needed to process the events unfolding.
Meat? Surely not. This is obviously some fabric designed to look like the flesh of a butchered cow, red and moist with remnant droplets of blood. She’s mental, one fan exclaims through social media. A flood of laughing crying emojis finish the tweet, showing the comment means no harm as this woman is their idol. What the actual f***, another writes, censoring the word fuck as if swearing would be ten times more offensive than the sight of a dress made out of fresh meat.
Just ten short minutes pass by, and Lady Gaga is the number one most trending topic.
PETA, of course, were fast to react to this news. Vegans, Vegetarians, and animal lovers, running to read the statement released with disgust and sadness heavy in their hearts. How could one woman be so heartless? The poor cow that had to die to create the dress, perhaps multiple. One person points out, I am fine with meat-eaters as it is their dietary choice, but to wear a dress made from dead animals is immoral. Many people agree, fans and the general public alike are uncomfortable with this odd fashion choice. PETA drops their attack, response much more militant than educational, telling readers that Gaga’s run out of ideas to be edgy and is willing to do anything in exchange for fame. What’s next, is she going to appear the week after wearing the family cat as a stylish hat?
Ellen Degeneres, a well-known vegan, has the displeasure of having to interview the well-known pop singer who is still heavily clad in steak. She is visibly uncomfortable, avoiding having to hug Gaga and taking a seat with a smile plastered on her face. She laughs it off, getting on with the job in which she has been paid to do. Ellen watches as Gaga gets playful with her fans in the crowd, eyes still making fleeting glances at the dress despite the oddly chilled atmosphere. Things get quiet, each woman getting comfortable before Ellen gently prompts Gaga with the question that we have all been dying to ask. What’s with the meat Gaga?
Rewind to the start of the night, Gaga arrives on the white carpet of the VMA’s. She is not dressed in meat at this time, her body covered in an Alexander McQueen ball gown with a headdress to match. 'She looks beautiful,' a fan comments, 'Crying emoji. Crying emoji'. She is not alone though, it is noted, as she steps out of the limo, which has pulled up to drop her off, closely followed by members of the US military who she has invited to accompany her. Gaga smiles at the camera, the military personnel standing beside her with nervous smiles across their faces. It is quickly revealed that this is a political statement, the military personnel all being members of the LGBTQIA community. They are there to protest the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell rule, a policy that stated that gay members of the military couldn’t be open about their sexuality. The government won’t ask if you don’t tell.
Many members of the public applaud the statement, agreeing with the stupidity of the rule in the first place. A rule that suggests that straight men, and women, could be so uncomfortable with others' sexuality that it could affect the effectiveness in which they fight. Whose problem is that though, one commenter argues, the LGBTQIA+ individuals or the bigots that claim they are thrown off by the big gay revelation.
Flash forward to the interview with Ellen, Gaga tells the television presenter that her meat dress is an extension of that message. Gaga explains, her voice considerably sweet for a woman wearing flesh, to Ellen, who is also part of the LGBTQIA community herself, that if we continue to let the government dictate our lifestyle, and mental wellbeing, that we are nothing more than the meat on our bones. We are but a human-shaped vessel, designed to live but without the personal touches which make us all individuals. Ellen nods along, though it is clear to see that she thinks there are much more appropriate ways to convey the message. Eager to make light of the situation, Ellen presents Gaga with a dress made of Kale. They laugh together, Gaga leaning in for a sideways hug. Ellen joins, though the distance between their hips speaks volumes.
Writings Of A Queer Mind 