True Colors Fund Announces All Star Benefit Concert
“Home For the Holidays” to Raise Awareness About LGBT Youth Homelessness
October 26, 2011 [NEW YORK] – Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund today announced a star-studded benefit concert on December 4th at New York City’s historic Beacon Theatre to help raise awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth homelessness. “Home for the Holidays,” presented by Deutsche Bank, will feature a night of music from Cyndi Lauper as well as special appearances by Norah Jones, Amy Lee, Rosie O’Donnell, Wanda Sykes, Carson Kressley, Chely Wright, Skylar Grey, Vanessa Carlton, Angelique Kidjo, Harvey Fierstein, Deluka, Debbie Harry, Alan Cumming, Clay Aiken and Jon Secada. Tickets are available at LiveNation.com starting on Friday, October 28th at 10am.
“When I first learned that up to 40 percent of all homeless youth in this country identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender I was shocked and saddened,” remarked Lauper, co-founder of the True Colors Fund. “For far too long homeless youth have not received the attention, resources and funding necessary to bring an end to this epidemic. My hope is that through this inspiring evening of music and comedy we can raise awareness and much needed funds to help these young people.”
It is estimated that 20 percent to 40 percent of all homeless youth identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, yet of the general youth population, only 3 percent to 5 percent do the same. The True Colors Fund is committed to doing what it can to raise awareness about this issue and develop resources to help these young people, most of whom are homeless due to family conflict.
Lauper was inspired to help after meeting an extraordinary group of young homeless gay and transgender people in New York City several years ago. She had an opportunity to include them in a photo shoot for Interview magazine to help spread a message of acceptance and diversity. A longtime advocate for the LGBT community and equality, Lauper co-founded the True Colors Fund in 2008 as a first step in this effort. Last year, the True Colors Fund launched the Give a Damn Campaign to educate the straight community about the many issues, especially youth homelessness, impacting the LGBT community and inspire them to get involved.
Furthering her personal commitment to this issue, this past September the True Colors Residence was opened. In partnership with the West End Intergenerational Residence and her manager, Lauper co-founded this 30 studio apartment permanent housing building that is the first in New York dedicated to serving LGBT homeless youth. 100% of the net proceeds from “Home for the Holidays” will benefit the True Colors Fund so that Lauper and the organization can continue to further its mission to help homeless LGBT youth.
In addition to Platinum Sponsor Deutsche Bank, other sponsors of “Home for the Holidays” include American Airlines and Van Gogh Vodka. Additional support is provided by Human Rights Campaign.
ABOUT THE TRUE COLORS FUND
The True Colors Fund, the non-profit organization co-founded by music icon and longtime activist Cyndi Lauper, seeks to inspire and engage everyone, particularly the straight community, to become active participants in the advancement of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality and to raise awareness about and bring an end to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth experiencing homelessness.
For more information please visit www.truecolorsfund.org.
Category: Music, Transgender Community News
About the Author (Author Profile)
Angela Gardner is a founding member of The Renaissance Transgender Assoc., Inc., former editor of its newsletter and magazine, Transgender Community News. She was the Diva of Dish for TGF in the late 1990s and Editor of LadyLike magazine until its untimely demise. She has appeared in film and television shows portraying TG characters, as well as representing Renaissance on numerous talk shows.Subscribe
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