Choose celibacy over promiscuity, says Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga has encouraged women to stay celibate rather than be promiscuous.

Dressed in a black lace leotard, tights, black patent heels framed with a huge black floral hat, the outspoken 'Poker Face' star, 23, said she chooses to be celibate because she does not have time for a relationship, as she promoted her new MAC Viva Glam lipstick with 80s singer Cyndi Lauper in London.

“I, for myself, make the choice to be single at this point in my life because I don’t have the time to get to know anybody. And you know what? It’s OK. Even Lady Gaga can be celibate,” she said smiling.

Gaga – real name Stefani Germanotta – revealed she prefers to take the time to get to know her partner before jumping into bed.

“If you can’t get to know somebody, you shouldn’t be having sex with them,” she insisted. “It’s OK at this point, in this day and age, we have grown up and we now know that we can’t be that free with your love.”

She also encouraged women to get tested regularly for HIV and Aids.

“You have to be safe, so get checked. You are not invincible,” she said.

“Here in the UK, six in 10 infections are in people around the age of 13, which means it’s their first time (having sex). 73% of women who are sexually active in the UK have never been tested for HIV.

"80% of those women in monogamous relationships are having unprotected sex, and they think it’s OK because they have an agreement with their partner when we all know how men can be.”

Both Gaga and Lauper, 56, were in London to participate in a filmed discussion with Sharon Osbourne about the disease and the campaign.

They designed the lipsticks themselves, bearing their signatures.

“I’m really excited about working with Cyndi. Wearing lipstick is that thing all women share,” said Gaga.

“We’re excited about teaching women about HIV and Aids prevention through this lipstick – you can give it to your daughter, give it to your sister or your friend. You have to put this lipstick in your purse and remind yourself to practise safe sex. And when you go on a date every night, put in a lipstick and a condom.”

The duo – who both went to convent schools – blamed the lack of sex education for the rising statistics.

“Where should all this begin? This has to begin at home. Somebody’s mother didn’t tell or teach them about sex,” said Gaga.

“I absolutely believe that in most schools, sex education is very poor. It certainly was very poor in my school.”

Osbourne, who moderated the talk, was full of praise for Gaga and Lauper.

“Cyndi is of a different generation to Lady Gaga but they both have such loud voices in this industry. They’re both iconic and so many people look up to them, it’s the perfect combination,” she said.

“It’s cool Lady Gaga can get tested, all these young girls can too.”

:: MAC Viva Glam Cyndi and Viva Glam Gaga lipsticks will be available from Monday March 15 – all funds raised will help women and girls living with, or affected by, HIV and Aids.