Monstrous otherness is an important theme in queer performance art, and 'Born This Way' is an activist album that promotes and uplifts queer voices. Gaga used the album's literal lyrics to create a safe space for the queer community while also calling out anti-LGBT legislation.

Inspired by 1990s music which empowered women, minorities, and the LGBT community, Gaga explained that "Born This Way" was her freedom song. It was also inspired by Carl Bean and his song "I Was Born This Way", released in 1977.

2008–2010: Breakthrough with The Fame and The Fame Monster. By 2008, Gaga had relocated to Los Angeles to work extensively with her record label to complete her debut album, The Fame, and to set up her own creative team called the Haus of Gaga, modeled on Andy Warhol's The Factory.

Lady Gaga (born March 28, 1986, New York City, New York, U.S.) is an American singer-songwriter and performance artist, known for her flamboyant costumes, provocative lyrics, and strong vocal talents, who achieved enormous popular success with songs such as “Just Dance,” “Bad Romance,” and “Born This Way.”