Lady Gaga has always been a fierce supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. A gay icon, she has often spoken out frequently in defense of LGBTQ+ rights, and openly encourages activism among her fans to try and change the world for the better.

In as early as 2009 (a full six years before same-sex marriage would become a country-wide right) the singer-songwriter has always firmly defended her community, speaking out against prejudice and hate.

But while the bisexual singer has been previously open about her interest in both men and women, it hasn’t always been this way. Here’s why her song “Poker Face” is part of this conversation.

The real meaning behind Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face”

One of her most famous songs “Poker Face” is a song about sex. On the surface, it’s about enjoying sex with men while keeping her emotions to herself, all under the metaphor of gambling.

But according to an article from Contract Music, the real meaning is more intimate: Gaga revealed she would often think about other women during sex with one of her boyfriends – and her inability to let on that’s what was on her mind.

Bisexuality has previously been a difficult topic for the singer. She notes that many of her boyfriends were intimidated by it.

She explained, “It makes them uncomfortable. They’re like, ‘I don’t need to have a threesome. I’m happy with just you.’”

While this reaction plays into an unfortunate old stereotype that bisexual people are sexually promiscuous, it isn’t so surprising that such ignorant views were the norm in the early 2000s.

Luckily, attitudes have become more enlightened now, and Lady Gaga herself feels free to not only acknowledge her sexuality but celebrate it.