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. 

“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.”

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.”

“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:

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. 

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