Lady Gaga’s PTSD Mental Illness Due To Rape At Age 19 Revealed After Her Scheduled Visit With Gay/LGBTQ Homeless Youth
Lady Gaga made a powerful statement when she revealed her personal struggle with mental illness Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with a group of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) youth in New York. The visit was reportedly a surprise to most of the staff and occupants of Harlem’s Ali Forney Center. Named in memory of an LGBTQ New York City youth that was murdered on the streets, the center focuses on the rescue and rehabilitation of troubled or abused LGBTQ teens.
Lady Gaga’s PTSD revelation emerged as she spoke openly with the teens during a segment aired on NBC’s “Today” show. After being raped at 19, she withheld the information for seven years. She only revealed her pain during an interview with “The Howard Stern Show” in 2014. Since the incident, Gaga has sought alternative ways to heal herself from the inside out.
“I suffer from a mental illness – I suffer from PTSD. I’ve never told anyone that before, so here we are… but the kindness that’s been shown to me by doctors – as well as my family and my friends – it’s really saved my life. I’ve been searching for ways to heal myself, and I’ve found that kindness is the best way.”
Today I shared one my deepest secrets w/ the world. Secrets keep you sick w/ shame ??Watch this video #ShareKindness https://t.co/Rynfxekz3Z
— xoxo, Joanne (@ladygaga) December 5, 2016
Lady Gaga’s PTSD may also play a role in the singer’s known relationship with other herbal or medicinal plants. She is a long-time advocate for alternative medicine and keeping everything in her life as organic as possible. Her relation to youth all around the world has been inspirational and that of a survivor. “Meditation helps me calm down,” she said to the LGBTQ group of teens as she led them through a meditative exercise.
@ladygaga keeping it real with some medicinal???????? #MaryJaneHolland pic.twitter.com/tajEcqwXVV
— GoodAsGold (@artrave_swine) April 11, 2015
Following the meeting, a teary-eyed youth from the Ali Forney Center in Harlem said that “Lady Gaga’s act of kindness today was a reminder that love still exists – and that there’s still some for me.” Gaga’s social media accounts were flooded with thankful fans sharing their personal stories of PTSD. “I have something to tell you. I also suffer from PTSD. This is the first time I say it too,” another youth posted.
Lady Gaga’s PTSD has quickly taken the form of social oneness and mental illness education. As an icon to many LGBTQ people all over the world, Gaga has painted herself as a symbol of love and acceptance of all. Fearing that her career would be defined by her abuse, she has avoided publicity on the matter for years. It seems now is the time for truth.
“These children are not just homeless or in need. Many of them are trauma survivors. They’ve been rejected in some type of way… I am no better than any of those kids. And I’m no worse than any of them. We are equal. We both walk our two feet on the same earth. And we’re in this together,” said Gaga.
Lady Gaga’s PTSD is a testament to the heartiness of the human heart and mind. Resilience and persistence in life can go a long way, and Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta is a shining example of success for anyone who has experienced the pain of abuse. She seemingly fights for equality of all people, as she is also well-known for her philanthropy. Her music and her life work together in beautiful alignment and provide a superb example for us all.
[Featured Image by Vianney Le Caer/AP Images]
