Lady Gaga and mum to launch foundation

Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta will launch the Born This Way Foundation on February 29.

The Born This Way Foundation is a partnership with the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The California Endowment and The Berkman Center at Harvard to "explore the best ways to reach youth and create a new culture of kindness, bravery, acceptance and empowerment".

"My daughter's foundation was born out of her passion to create a better world where people are kinder and nicer to one another and are accepted for who they are, regardless of how different they may be," said Cynthia Germanotta. "She has experienced many of the struggles that our youth encounter today, and identifies with the lasting effects they can have without proper support. Together, we look forward to creating a new movement that will engage and empower youth and accept them as valuable members of our society."

The launch will be held at the Harvard University Sanders Theatre.