Lady Gaga Launches Born This Way Foundation to Help Bullied & Isolated Youth

the big heart award goes to Gaga

In an effort to stand up to bullying and abandonment of young people and to empower our nation’s youth, Lady Gaga has announced the launch of her new, Born This Way Foundation, created with the help of the MacArthur Foundation and Harvard University.

In the Born This Way singer’s own words, The Born This Way Foundation is “a nonprofit focusing on youth empowerment, including issues like self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring and career development.” (AP News)

According to the Associated Press, Lady Gaga’s partners in the Born This Way Foundation include the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The California Endowment and the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University.

Gaga’s inspiration for both the song and foundation of the same name (Born This Way) was no doubt inspired by the disturbing trend of both face-to-face and cyber bullying of gay youth that has caused so many upsetting, headlining making suicides over the past year. Lady Gaga, a strong and outspoken advocate of gay rights, is certainly doing something positive with her fame, and we applaud her for that.

Also on board to help run the Born This Way Foundation will be Lady Gaga’s mother, Cynthia Germanotta (Lady Gaga was born this way: as Stephanie Germanotta). Lady Gaga released the following press statement about her new philanthropic venture:

“Together we hope to establish a standard of Bravery and Kindness, as well as a community worldwide that protects and nurtures others in the face of bullying and abandonment.”

“Lady Gaga will help empower and give voice to young people who find themselves overwhelmed, undersupported, disconnected, isolated, bullied, or struggling,” stated Dr. Bob Ross, CEO and president of The California Endowment, a partner in the Born This Way Foundation.

As reported by the Associated Press, an advisory board is currently being put in place and the Born This Way Foundation will officially launch in 2012.