Madonna’s never been one to shy away from sending loud and clear messages. The longtime pop star made an appearance Saturday night at the GLAAD Media Awards. She walked across the stage dressed as a Boy Scout, openly mocking the organization’s heartily contested gay ban. While she was there primarily to present news anchor Anderson Cooper with the Vito Russo Award, Madonna lost no opportunity to make a point.
“I can build a fire. I know how to pitch a tent. I can rescue a kitten,” she said, listing off skills needed to be a boy scout. “Most importantly, I know how to scout for boys. I think they should change their stupid rules.”
Madonna’s certainly not the only celebrity to decry the national youth organization recently. With the BSA’s reaffirmation of its gay ban, others have spoken out against them as well. Major companies have withdrawn sponsorship due to the discrimination policy in place, and even stars slated to perform at this year’s National Scout Jamboree—Carly Rae Jepsen and Train—have pulled their support.
Speaking on a broader note, Madonna also addressed a far more serious problem with LGBT inequality: bullying of young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people.
“When I think about young kids in America who are being bullied and tortured, who are taking their own lives because they feel alone and judged, outcast and misunderstood, I want to sit down and cry a river of tears,” she said, calling for a “revolution” in America to make total equality a reality and end bullying for good.