Lady Gaga donates peace award to the Elton John AIDS Foundation

Oct 10 2012
Written by Scott Roberts

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

Lady Gaga has handed the cash she received as part of the LennonOno Grant for Peace award to Sir Elton John’s AIDS foundation.

The pop star was honoured for her gay rights work, along with imprisoned members of the Russian LGBT-supporting feminist punk band Pussy Riot, with a prize in memory of John Lennon on Tuesday at the Imagine Peace Tower in Reykjavik.

The tower was erected in honour of the Beatles legend in 2007.

After receiving the prize, which comes with a $50,000 (£31,250) cash sum to help a good cause, Lady Gaga announced she would be donating the money to Sir Elton’s charity.

“I will be working closely with them to ensure that the money goes specifically to those orphaned and disadvantaged youth in America born with HIV or AIDS,” Lady Gaga said in accepting the prize.

Yoko Ono called Lady Gaga “powerful” in remarks to the AFP.

Yesterday, Sir Elton urged for the UK Government to continue with its plans for equal marriage in the face of stiff opposition by senior religious leaders.

Lady Gaga is godmother to Sir Elton’s son Zachary.