Lady Gaga Takes Self Portrait for August Cover of The Advocate

Photographing herself for next month’s issue of The Advocate, Lady Gaga talks about her connection to past and present female performers and her passion for social issues.

“There’s no drama, there’s no jealousy, there’s no competition,” she says of other female artists. “They’re just happy to see other women winning. 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 also confronts the rumors of her supporting the LGBT community just for her benefit:

“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,” she says. “I would say the top thing I think about every single day of my life, other than my fans, loving the music, and my family being healthy, is social justice and equality.”

In the interview she talks about using her fame as a platform for positive change:

“Rumors, shots at me as a human being, that’s what comes with the territory of being a musician and being someone who is a public figure,” says Gaga. “I care only about what I can change. What can I push forward? How can I be a part of the fight for modern social issues?”

Do you think Lady Gaga is a positive role model?