Gay Activists Gaga for the Lady

It became official this weekend in Washington: Lady Gaga is the new icon for the gay community, this generation’s Cher. She brought the crowds to their feet—twice—at the Human Rights Campaign dinner, where even President Obama said, “It is a privilege to be here tonight to open for Lady Gaga”—and she doesn’t intend to back down anytime soon.

“I will never turn my back on my friends,” says Gaga, who drew cheers at yesterday's National Equality March, and called out Obama, promising to “continue to push your administration to bring your promise to reality.” In return, Gaga's “friends” are showering the 23-year-old bisexual singer with praise, like the attendee who says, “It's almost like Martin Luther King and the civil rights speeches. We have a voice.” (More Lady Gaga stories.)