Madonna Blasts Ageism, Compares it to Homophobia

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."