Lady Gaga Addresses Claims of Using the ‘Gay Community’ to Sell Records

Lady Gaga has a new magazine cover in her repertoire. After gracing the front cover of every fashion mag known to man, Gaga is now gracing the cover of the August issue of The Advocate, a gay magazine.

Gaga's gay fanbase is massive, so it's about time the Mother Monster appeared on the cover of the mag for the 'Born This Way' album cycle. The cover is a self-portrait, and she is wearing a blunt teal bob, a beret, a '70s patterned blouse, red dagger-like nails and extreme eyeliner. It's a semi-masculine look and she wears it well. She also took the photo herself while in Germany, via a tripod.

Gaga talks about two hot topics in the Gaga-verse: Her relationship with her gay fans (which many have criticized her about, claiming she exploits gay fans to sell records), and Madonna.

"To say that I would use the gay community to sell records is probably one of the most ridiculous statements anyone can make about me as a person," Gaga declared. PopCrush would like to come to her defense. Many gay people love Gaga and want to buy her music. She also said, "My love for my gay fans is just pure, authentic love for them as supporters of me from the beginning, and me feeling connected to their struggles as someone who is a part of their fight."

Gaga also addressed Madonna, her heir who also became an icon for the gay community. The last time Gaga commented on Madge had to do with the sonic similarities between 'Born This Way' and the Material Girl's 1989 hit 'Express Yourself,' and she's been sort of mum since then.

"I just feel so connected to Madonna in a lot of ways, and I feel connected to Barbra, and I feel connected to Cher and Blondie and all of the women who came before me,” Gaga said, referencing other female pop stars who became beloved by the gay contingent. "I worshiped them my whole life, and I would never be where I am today without all of them to inspire me. I feel so grateful that I have such strong women to look up to."

Gaga also affirmed that she is more interested in the little monsters than she is in fortune and material things. She said, "At the end of the day I could be rolling around in Rolls-Royces, buying mansions for myself, making records, and dancing around in my underwear. But to be honest, I'm not interested in doing that at all. I'd rather be at rallies with the fans, being a part of their voice, helping to mobilize and enforce change. If people don't believe me, they don't have to be a part of it."

Watch Lady Gaga Speak Out for Gay Rights at 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' Rally in Portland, Maine