Dear Lady Gaga,

I was ten years old when Poker Face came out. No one thought much of it at the time. It was a catchy pop song, just like a lot of other songs on the radio.

Then, you became a sensation. Your outfits, your music videos, they were all denounced as "weird" by everyone else. To me, they were art. I would watch your music videos, searching for hidden meanings to explain to my friends. I would pour over glossy magazine photos of you. I memorized all your songs.

It was just an obsession, and as I grew up I moved onto other things, but I still enjoyed your music.

I was 14 when I started questioning my sexuality. That was around the same time that "Born This Way" was released. Amidst all the hate and rejection I received from my family, church leaders, friends and society, that song stood out to me.

"No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian transgendered life, I'm on the right track baby I was born to survive."

Those words have stuck with me to this day. I remember how I felt as a freshman in high school when I first heard those words. It felt so amazing that an awesome person like you who I had looked up to was telling me that the way I was is okay, and that I'm born to survive.

Even in other things you were always speaking out for others. When you wore that shapeless dress because beauty has no specific shape; when you burned the male gaze to the ground in Bad Romance; and many more stances that you've taken for others.

You've never given up. You've been an activist for the LGBT+ community and for so many other marginalized people. Even when you performed at the Super Bowl, you lifted everyone's spirits and sent a message, even after such a scary election. I can't thank you enough for what you've done for everybody, and I hope you realize what you do for people. Thank you.

Sincerely,

A simple girl from Ohio.