There’s no denying that Lady Gaga is sexual. Whether you think she’s hot, think she’s an alien, or think she’s secretly a transsexual, she’s definitely saying something about how women communicate their sexuality.

Gaga is featured in a new M.A.C. ad, along with Cyndi Lauper, for lipstick that benefits the M.A.C. AIDS Fund, and she gives some sound sex advice:

“Buying condoms is seen as a male accessory. We were joking that we wish the lipstick had on the side, ‘Where’s my best friend, the condom? Come out with me tonight.’ The lipstick should be a reminder to practice safe sex on their own, as opposed to hoping that the guy they went out with has it in a drawer next to his bed … I come across in all my videos and all my music as this sexually empowered woman, but even I say no. Just because you are a sexual woman doesn’t mean you are dumb.”

When the guy that she’s seeing says, ‘Baby, it doesn’t feel good when I wear that,’ or ‘Baby, it’s just you,’ you say, ‘F–k you, I’m out of here.’ I don’t want to be with a guy who feels like that. What does that say about who they’ve been with before? You have to be worried about yourself, because it can happen to you.”

These are smart words coming from a woman who just glued pearls all over her face.

Lady Gaga has gained fame for her catchy pop songs and outrageous outfits — but I think she should be recognized just as much for her unique attitude towards sexuality. It’s been a few years since Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson cried virginity when they were on the rise to stardom; luckily it seems Lady Gaga is smarter than to extol abstinence in the name of popularity as a pop star/role model. She’s sexy when she feels like it, daring when she feels like it, and demure when she feels like it –and smart enough to know that these attitudes aren’t mutually exclusive. She is sexual, but doesn’t present her sexuality in a predictable way (ahem, the way stereotypical heterosexual men want it presented).

Both Gaga and Lauper are also advocates for gay rights. It seems these two are blazing a trail for empowerment through sexuality, and being creative with how sexuality, and identity, are expressed — because really, those two things are interlaced, aren’t they? Whether you want to like boys, girls, wear a full face of makeup or go au natural, Gaga and Lauper seem to understand that there is a place for everyone in the world, and that sexual education should be a part of everyday conversation because sexuality is a part of everyday life.