Comments on: Lady Gaga Makes the (Mistaken) Case for Celibacy http://equalwrites.org/2010/03/02/lady-gaga-makes-the-mistaken-case-for-celibacy/ Feminism and Gender Issues at Princeton University Thu, 10 May 2012 04:21:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Charliej http://equalwrites.org/2010/03/02/lady-gaga-makes-the-mistaken-case-for-celibacy/#comment-3685 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 21:54:50 +0000 http://equalwrites.org/?p=2493#comment-3685 The very basic definition in a dictionary is:

1: the state of not being married
2 a : abstention from sexual intercourse
b : abstention by vow from marriage

So – actually – anyone who’s not married could, justifiably, say that they are celibate! You’re right – she is abstaining, but therefore, is also celibate. I don’t think people should bring religion into a choice to abstain (remain celibate) nor should we criticize her for her wording choice. It’s an amazing message that I think more people should listen to – especially young women in America in our society who believe that the disposable sexual lifestyle that has become so popular is a sign of feminism and independence! :) that’s all.

]]> By: Janis http://equalwrites.org/2010/03/02/lady-gaga-makes-the-mistaken-case-for-celibacy/#comment-1994 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:30:44 +0000 http://equalwrites.org/?p=2493#comment-1994 I am not a Princeton student, and neither is that singer. Her body, her words. And no, no one ever got raped because some guy someplace mistakenly used a word wrong. They get raped because men rape them. Put the blame where it belongs: in the mind of the perpetrator and not in the dictionary.

]]> By: re: Janis http://equalwrites.org/2010/03/02/lady-gaga-makes-the-mistaken-case-for-celibacy/#comment-1986 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:59:38 +0000 http://equalwrites.org/?p=2493#comment-1986 sure, you’re right in that people don’t /own/ words. but part of living in a society is using them responsibly, and as ameliatd wrote above, the words have different connotations in different contexts. i don’t know if you’re a princeton student or not, but these are words that have come up a lot this year with the “debate” over the chastity center and numerous columns in the prince dealing with the topic. it’s important to keep our terms straight so we know what everyone else is talking about.

]]> By: Janis http://equalwrites.org/2010/03/02/lady-gaga-makes-the-mistaken-case-for-celibacy/#comment-1984 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:58:59 +0000 http://equalwrites.org/?p=2493#comment-1984 Who gives a crap? Her definition is the only one that matters. No one has a trademark on the word celibate.

]]> By: ameliatd http://equalwrites.org/2010/03/02/lady-gaga-makes-the-mistaken-case-for-celibacy/#comment-1976 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:10:06 +0000 http://equalwrites.org/?p=2493#comment-1976 Based on this distinction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celibacy#Abstinence_and_celibacy) between abstinence and celibacy, I think we can pretty safely say that Lady Gaga would better described herself as “abstinent.” The words may have similar dictionary definitions, but they have very different religious and cultural connotations.

Thanks for commenting!

]]> By: John http://equalwrites.org/2010/03/02/lady-gaga-makes-the-mistaken-case-for-celibacy/#comment-1975 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:46:22 +0000 http://equalwrites.org/?p=2493#comment-1975 Well if you look up celibacy in the dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celibacy) you would find it to be defined as:
1 : the state of not being married
2 a : abstention from sexual intercourse b : abstention by vow from marriage

Thus, your argument would be false on numerous levels. To my knowledge Lady Gaga is not married = celibate under (1). She seems to be abstaining from sexual intercourse, as you pointed out = celibate under (2a). Furthermore, she seems to have vowed (albeit to herself and, I suppose, the press) to abstain from sex/marriage = celibate under (2b).

Looks to me like she’s three times a (celibate) Lady.

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