Fundamental Rights: Cyndi Lauper

Grrrrrrrrl Power!
Cyndi Lauper

It's official. Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights!

Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning artist and activist Cyndi Lauper has designed and released her official “Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights” t-shirt. Inspired by the menagerie of protest signs using this empowering slogan during the worldwide Women’s March that took place on January 21st, Cyndi has partnered with Omaze in honor of Women’s History Month to raise vital funding for Planned Parenthood and the True Colors Fund.

“As I marched down the streets of New York City in January amongst a beautiful array of people of every sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and nationality, I was blown away to see so many people embracing the message of “Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights’ on their handmade signs,” said Cyndi Lauper. “Seeing this anthem continue to empower so many people to speak out and get involved, I was inspired to find new ways to further spread this powerful message of equality and justice for all. I am hopeful that this t-shirt will raise much needed funds to support the important work of Planned Parenthood and the True Colors Fund.”

Cyndi’s official “Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights” t-shirt is available starting today at www.omaze.com/fun and can be purchased for $25. A sweatshirt is also available for $39. The net proceeds from each t-shirt and sweatshirt sold will be donated to Planned Parenthood and the True Colors Fund.

About Omaze
Founded by Matt Pohlson and Ryan Cummins, Omaze is a fundraising platform that offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences and exclusive merchandise to raise funds and awareness for today’s most important causes. By leveraging the power of audiences and technology, Omaze is radically changing charitable giving and streamlining public participation with charitable campaigns to create impact in real time. Since launching in 2012, Omaze has impacted more than 200 charities and received donations from over 175 countries. For more information please visit omaze.com.

About Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California 
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is the statewide public policy office representing California’s seven Planned Parenthood affiliates. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC advocates for sound public policy in areas of reproductive and preventive health care, family planning and comprehensive sexual health education and information. For more information about Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, please visit www.ppactionca.org.

About True Colors Fund
The True Colors Fund, co-founded by Cyndi Lauper, works nationally to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth. In America, up to 40 percent of the 1.6 million youth that are homeless each year identify as LGBT. Yet, only seven percent of the general youth population is LGBT. The most cited reason for this disproportionate rate is family rejection due to the young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Through a broad continuum of advocacy, training & education, and youth collaboration programs, the True Colors Fund is creating a world in which all young people can be their true selves. For more information about the True Colors Fund, please visit www.truecolorsfund.org.  

Cyndi Lauper & Friends

Let's get charitable...

Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund (www.truecolorsfund.org) announced the lineup for its 6th annual “Cyndi Lauper & Friends: Home for the Holidays” benefit concert on Saturday, December 3 at New York City’s historic Beacon Theatre to raise awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth homelessness. 100 percent of the net proceeds from the concert will support the True Colors Fund’s programs.

Cyndi Lauper will be joined on stage this year by Aloe Blacc, Ballets with a Twist, Big Thief, Billy Corgan, Grace VanderWaal, Judy Gold, Kate Bornstein, Maya Jupiter, Oxymorrons, Sara Ramirez, Sharon Van Etten, Theresa Caputo, Tyler Glenn, and host Carson Kressley. Additional guests will be announced soon. Tickets are available to the general public at Ticketmaster.com.

“For the sixth year, ‘Home for the Holidays’ will bring together an incredible group of performers to support the True Colors Fund’s work to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth," said Lauper, the organization’s co-founder. “Our voices are stronger when we say something together. I’m so grateful to the artists, who are donating their time and talent to bring attention to this very important cause.”

In America, up to 40 percent of the 1.6 million youth that are homeless each year identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Yet, less than seven percent of the general youth population is LGBT. The most cited reason for this disproportionate rate is family rejection due to the young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Co-founded by Cyndi Lauper, the True Colors Fund works nationally to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. Through a broad continuum of public engagement, public policy, youth collaboration, research, and community organizing programs, the True Colors Fund is creating a world in which young people can be their true selves.

Some highlights of the True Colors Fund’s work this year include:
 

• Hosting the second annual #40toNoneDay, a national day to raise awareness about LGBT youth homelessness, which reached over 98 million people online.
• Partnering with The White House to conduct a Policy Briefing on Youth Homelessness to help prioritize the needs of youth experiencing homelessness within the Federal Government.
• Launching the National Youth Forum on Homelessness, a youth-led project focused on ending youth homelessness in America, in partnership with the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
• Releasing At the Intersections, the most comprehensive resource on LGBT youth homelessness, in partnership with the National LGBTQ Task Force.
• Holding the third annual sold out 40 to None Summit, the only national annual gathering focused on innovative solutions to end LGBT youth homelessness in America.
• Training it's second class of True Fellows, young LGBT leaders with experiences of homelessness, who conduct six-month service projects in their communities.
• Releasing its second annual 40 of the 40 list, which highlights 40 LGBT young people who have experiences with homelessness and provides them with opportunities to engage in the organization’s work.
• Providing free tools, resources, and training through its 40 to None Network for service providers and communities around the country to aid them in providing safe, inclusive, and welcoming support to LGBT youth experiencing homelessness.

“Home for the Holidays” is proud to have the support of: Platinum Sponsors Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and Van Gogh Vodka; Gold Sponsors The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and Jujamcyn Theaters; Silver Sponsors Kinky Boots, The Madison Square Garden Company, Masie Productions, Reveal, Stifel, and Keith Bell, Licensed Acupuncturist.

ABOUT THE TRUE COLORS FUND
Grammy and Emmy award-winning artist and advocate Cyndi Lauper co-founded the True Colors Fund to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. Through a broad continuum of public engagement, public policy, youth collaboration, research, and community organizing programs, the True Colors Fund is creating a world in which young people can be their true selves. www.truecolorsfund.org

For more information please visit www.truecolorsfund.org/homefortheholidays. 

"True Colors" Cyndi Lauper

Performing for LGBT Youth Tomorrow Night in Los Angeles, CA

The True Colors Fund is excited to announce the lineup and honorees for its sold out inaugural Cyndi Lauper’s Damn Gala, taking place at the Hollywood Athletic Club on Sunday, October 9th in Los Angeles, CA. The organization, co-founded by Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award winning artist Cyndi Lauper to prevent and end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth, will feature a keynote address from Secretary Julián Castro of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“The True Colors Fund is honored that Secretary Castro will provide the keynote at our inaugural Damn Gala,” said Cyndi Lauper, co-founder of the True Colors Fund. “For the past four years, we have had the great privilege to partner with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to pilot and advance new solutions to prevent and end LGBT youth homelessness. We will end youth homelessness in America and, due to the strategic and innovative leadership of Secretary Castro and the team at HUD, tremendous progress has already been made.”

                                                              True Colors

The Damn Gala, which will feature performances by Ms. Lauper and True Colors Fund Board Member and Tony Award winning artist Sara Ramirez, will pay tribute to USA Network and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. James Paxton and Tyler Young, stars of USA Network’s upcoming series, EYEWITNESS, premiering October 16th, will be presenting the network with its award. The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s award will be presented by Marc Malkin, Managing Editor and Correspondent at E! News, and his husband Fabian Quezada-Malkin. In addition, Phoebe VanCleefe and Kahlib Barton, two of True Colors Fund’s extraordinary youth leaders, will present TED-style talks, while True Colors Fund Board Member and Emmy Award winning personality Carson Kressley will serve as the evening’s host.

“We are excited to honor USA Network and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, two of our longest and closest partners in the effort to end LGBT youth homelessness in America,” said Gregory Lewis, Executive Director & CEO of the True Colors Fund. “For over 40 years, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has been a national leader in providing life-saving services for LGBT youth experiencing homelessness. USA Network has worked tirelessly to open countless hearts and minds through its programming and its public service campaign Characters Unite, which was created to address the social injustices and cultural divides still prevalent in our society. Both USA Network and the Los Angeles LGBT Center have been true leaders in creating a more accepting and affirming society for LGBT youth and we look forward to celebrating them at Cyndi Lauper’s Damn Gala.”

The Damn Gala is supported by Platinum Sponsors NCompass, Pride.com (National Media Partner), and Van Gogh Vodka (National Corporate Partner); and Gold Sponsors Angeleno Magazine, Jason Mraz Foundation, and Tylenol PM (National Corporate Partner).

The Damn Gala is currently sold out, but those interested in attending can join the waiting list by emailing RSVP@truecolorsfund.org. If tickets become available, they begin at $500, and tables of ten start at $5,000. For remaining sponsorship opportunities please contact rob@truecolorsfund.org. The net proceeds from the Damn Gala will benefit the True Colors Fund’s work to prevent and end LGBT youth homelessness in America.

To learn more about Cyndi Lauper’s Damn Gala, please visit www.truecolorsfund.org/damngala.