Watch: Former Homeless Teen Cyndi Lauper Testifies Before Congress On Ending LGBT Youth Homelessness
Watch as superstar singer, LGBT activist, and person who should run for President, Cyndi Lauper educates Congress on LGBT homeless youth.
If you thought “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” singer Cyndi Lauper started her True Colors Fund charity just for kicks or publicity, this nine-minute video of the singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT activist will change your mind. It may also make you cry a bit. It might even get you thinking maybe she should run for President.
Today is True Colors Fund’s #40toNoneDay, “a national day to raise public awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth homelessness, and to provide supporters with simple ways to get involved.”
So it was appropriate that today Lauper testified before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee, explaining in real life terms the tragedies and challenges homeless youth face, especially LGBT homeless youth.
She also revealed she was a homeless teen, a fact not known to many, and one that may explain her devotion to helping homeless youth.
Lauper said her iconic song, “True Colors,” which has been adopted by many as a theme and as an LGBT anthem, allowed her to speak with LGBT youths, many who were homeless.Â
“Listening to these stories, it changed me,†she added. “Maybe there’s something I can do besides just being a famous person and singing to them.â€
That’s why she started her True Colors Fund, which “works to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, creating a world in which young people can be their true selves.”
“Basically, the kids come out and they get thrown out,†she told the Senators. “Truth is, they didn’t choose their identity. You know, it’s like you choosing the color of your eyes. You know, you’re born that way.â€
“If it’s a faith issue, I implore you not to pray to God to change your kid,†she said. “Pray to God to change your heart.”
The hearing was led by the subcommittee’s Chair, GOP Senator Susan Collins of Maine.
When she was done, Lauper headed to the White House:
.@cyndilauper speaking @WhiteHouse on youth #homelessness. #40toNoneDay @USICHgov @TrueColorsFund pic.twitter.com/UTiTtCVDhq
— Richard Cho (@Richard_S_Cho) April 29, 2015
Watch this video, please, share it, and use the hashtags #40toNoneDay and #Pizza4Equality, which is a fundraiser started by LGBT activist Scott Wooledge to help homeless kids and the True Colors Fund.Â
Watch:
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It’s #40toNoneDay! Did you know that 40% of homeless youth are #LGBT? Together, we can get that number down to NONE. http://t.co/aJj5FobojB
— Scott Wooledge (@Clarknt67) April 29, 2015
Thank u @SenatorCollins #40toNoneDay pic.twitter.com/h5jLyZ7lvl
— Cyndi Lauper (@cyndilauper) April 29, 2015
I’ve taken my #Unselfie for #40ToNoneDay. Stand with me to help end LGBT youth homelessness in the US. pic.twitter.com/M4z3jgv9rA
— Sharon Osbourne (@MrsSOsbourne) April 29, 2015
Thx to @TrueColorsFund’s #40toNoneDay for working to end #LGBT youth homelessness. Its up to all of us & we can do it pic.twitter.com/0ATkECoYlb
— Senator Jack Reed (@SenJackReed) April 29, 2015
Join @TrueColorsFund and me in recognizing #40toNoneDay. Help end #LGBT youth homelessness. Kindness is infectious. https://t.co/vD7x4lqzZL
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) April 29, 2015
In the 25 days leading up to #40tononeday, 4,209 people raised $159,325 for @TrueColorsFund. http://t.co/Vk7Z8Gt1B9 pic.twitter.com/WmwqcmrpZ3
— Memeographs (@memeographs) April 29, 2015

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