Madonna Blasts Ageism, Compares it to Homophobia

The singer questions why attacking women for their age is accepted.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

February 27 2015 5:55 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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After Madonna took a rough fall at the Brit Awards this week, the Internet responded with a million memes, some of which related to her age. That's not new for Madonna, who is frequently criticized simply for being a 56-year-old woman.

"It's still the one area where you can totally discriminate against somebody, and talk shit," she says in the latest Rolling Stone, of which she graces the cover. "Because of their age. Only females, though. Not males."

Madonna said jokes about her age are laughed at, while people often cry foul at racist and homophobic asides.

"No one would dare to say a degrading remark about being black or dare to say a degrading remark on Instagram about someone being gay," she said (she might not read enough social media comments).

The singer, set to release her latest album next month, says society demands women of a certain age curtail specific behaviors. "But I don't follow the rules," she said. "I never did, and I'm not going to start."