why did lady gaga wear a meat dress

Lady Gaga wore a meat dress at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards as a powerful political statement and form of protest. The dress symbolized her opposition to the U.S. military’s "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy, which prevented openly gay and lesbian individuals from serving in the military. Gaga explained that if people don’t stand up for their rights and fight for what they believe in, they may end up with "as much rights as the meat on our bones." The dress also highlighted broader themes of identity, objectification, and the fight for equality, making it more than just a shock-value fashion statement. The design was conceived by Franc Fernandez and styled by Nicola Formichetti, and the concept was inspired in part by Gaga’s makeup artist Val Garland, who had worn meat to parties in the 1970s. The meat dress has since been preserved and displayed in museums as a symbol of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and individual expression.