Lady Gaga Honored With $50,000 Peace Grant By Yoko Ono

Aside from that, though, Gaga’s speech was lovely and touching as she accepted the $50,000 grant from Ono as an award for her work around GLBT rights. (Pussy Riot was also honored in the ceremony, as well as the late writer Christopher Hitchens.) ”I am honored to accept this grant and award today on behalf of youth empowerment around the world,” she said. “I will be donating to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and I will be working closely with them to ensure that the money goes specifically to those orphans and disadvantaged youth in America born with HIV or AIDS.” She also spoke about John Lennon‘s influence on her as a schoolgirl growing up in New York City. “I dare you to be compassionate in a cynical age,” she said. Watch the video above.