CYNDI LAUPER STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT OBAMA’S SUPPORT OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY
May 09th, 2012 05:27 PM By AdminPresident Obama continues to be a true leader for equality and I have never been prouder to call him my president than I am today. The president’s support of marriage equality gives hope and encouragement to the millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people who feel ostracized and alone. The words of the president have reinforced that they are worthy of dignity, respect, and love – just like everyone else. As a supporter of the president and a longtime advocate for young gay and lesbian Americans, I am thrilled about today’s news and I’m looking forward to my visit to Capitol Hill, where I will tomorrow appeal to members of Congress to fund programs supporting our homeless LGBT youth.
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The True Colors Fund was co-founded by Cyndi Lauper to inspire and engage everyone, especially straight people, to become active participants in the advancement of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality and to raise awareness about and bring an end to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth homelessness.
VAN GOGH VODKA LAUNCHES COCKTAILS WITHOUT PREJUDICE PROGRAM IN SUPPORT OF THE GIVE A DAMN CAMPAIGN
Mar 28th, 2012 11:21 AM By Admin
Van Gogh Vodka is proud to introduce their new Cocktails without Prejudice campaign and its signature cocktail, the Give a Damn Martini. The new program, will be executed today, March 28, 2012, honoring Van Gogh Vodka’s partnership with the Give a Damn Campaign, with a portion of proceeds from on-premise sales of the cocktail benefiting our work.
“The Give a Damn Campaign is excited to be a part of Van Gogh Vodka’s Cocktails without Prejudice,” says Cyndi Lauper, co-founder of the Give a Damn Campaign. “The company’s commitment to raising awareness and funds for our shared mission is truly inspiring. It is time for things to change and through this program we will be able to make a real difference in encouraging everyone to give a damn about equality.”
Created by master mixologist Jonathan Pogash, the Give a Damn Martini will be available at over 60 locations across the country. For eachmartini sold, $1 will be donated to the Give a Damn Campaign. A full list of participating locations can be found here.
“We are excited to share the Give a Damn Martini with consumers and hope that the cocktail spurs conversations regarding the Give a Damn Campaign’s important message,” says Norman Bonchick, Chairman and CEO of Van Gogh Imports. “We are thrilled to kick off our Cocktails without Prejudice program celebrating our partnership with this worthy organization.”
Give a Damn Martini
Created By The Cocktail Guru, Jonathan Pogash
1½ oz. Van Gogh BLUE Triple Wheat Vodka
¾ oz. POM pomegranate juice
¾ oz. Monin cinnamon syrup
Top off with 1½ oz sparkling wine
Shake first three ingredients very well with ice and strain into a martini glass. Top off with chilled sparkling wine and garnish with a sweetheart candy.
GET INFORMED, GET INVOLVED
- Learn more about Cocktails without Prejudice
- Find a participating location near you
THE VIEW DISCUSSES TENNESSEE’S “DON’T SAY GAY” BILL
Feb 22nd, 2012 05:28 PM By Admin
Today, the women of The View and guest co-host Jesse Tyler Ferguson discuss Tennessee’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill during Hot Topics.
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- Learn more about Youth | School
THE TREVOR PROJECT’S NEW PSA WITH DANIEL RADCLIFFE
Feb 22nd, 2012 11:05 AM By AdminOur friends at The Trevor Project premiered their new PSA with Daniel Radcliffe during last night’s episode of Glee. If you or someone you know needs help, please call their 24/7 Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386.
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- Learn more about The Trevor Project
- Learn more about Youth| Suicide
HRC: CORPORATE EQUALITY INDEX
Dec 08th, 2011 03:27 PM By AdminThe following is from our friends at the Human Rights Campaign:
The Human Rights Campaign’s 2012 Corporate Equality Index chronicles a decade of progress in workplace equality. 2012 marks the first year of new more stringent criteria regarding transgender health benefits. 190 participants earned the top rating of 100 percent, evidence the CEI has helped transform the American workplace for the better over the past ten years.
The HRC’s CEI report, released each fall, provides an in-depth analysis and rating of large U.S. employers and their policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Businesses rated 100% are recognized in our “Best Places to Work” list, and are invited to apply for the HRC Award for Workplace Equality Innovation. All consumer-oriented businesses are included in our “Buying for Equality” guide.
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- Learn more about the Corporate Equality Index
- Learn more about Workplace Discrimination
“IT’S TIME!” – A POWERFUL MARRIAGE EQUALITY VIDEO
Nov 28th, 2011 02:06 PM By AdminThe following is a powerful and poignant marriage equality video from GetUp!, an Australian equality organization:
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- Learn more about Marriage
CYNDI LAUPER & FRIENDS: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS SPECIAL PRE-SALE
Oct 26th, 2011 05:13 PM By Admin
A CONCERT TO BENEFIT HOMELESS LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL & TRANSGENDER YOUTH
DECEMBER 4th, 2011 at NEW YORK CITY’S BEACON THEATRE
Special Appearances By: Norah Jones, Amy Lee, Rosie O’Donnell, Wanda Sykes, Lou Reed, Cassandra Wilson, Carson Kressley, Jon Secada, Chely Wright, Skylar Grey, Vanessa Carlton, Angelique Kidjo, Harvey Fierstein, Deluka, Debbie Harry, Alan Cumming, Clay Aiken and more.
Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund, the organization behind the Give a Damn Campaign, 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 as well as special appearances by Norah Jones, Amy Lee, Lou Reed, Rosie O’Donnell, Wanda Sykes, Cassandra Wilson, Carson Kressley, Chely Wright, Skylar Grey, Vanessa Carlton, Angelique Kidjo, Harvey Fierstein, Deluka, Debbie Harry, Alan Cumming and Clay Aiken.
Cyndi Lauper and the True Colors Fund are excited to extend a special pre-sale to Give a Damn Campaign members before tickets go on sale to the general public. The pre-sale runs from 10 am EST tomorrow, Thursday, October 27th until tomorrow night at 10 pm EST. The password you will need to make your purchase is DAMN.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS >>
“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,” says Cyndi Lauper, co-founder of the True Colors Fund and Give a Damn Campaign. “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.”
Cyndi was inspired to help after meeting an extraordinary group of young homeless gay and transgender people several years ago. Already a longtime advocate for the LGBT community and equality, she co-founded the True Colors Fund in 2008 as a major step in this effort. Then, created the Give a Damn Campaign to raise awareness, especially among straight people, about the many issues, particularly youth homelessness, impacting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.
100% of the net proceeds from “Home for the Holidays” will benefit the True Colors Fund so that Cyndi, the True Colors Fund and the Give a Damn Campaign can continue to further its work to help homeless LGBT youth.
In addition to Platinum Sponsor Deutsche Bank, other sponsors of “Home for the Holidays” include American Airlines, Creative Group and Van Gogh Vodka. Additional support is provided by the Human Rights Campaign.
GET INFORMED, GET INVOLVED
- Buy tickets to Home for the Holidays
- Learn more about Home for the Holidays
- Learn more about Youth | Homelessness
REMEMBERING MATTHEW SHEPARD
Oct 12th, 2011 02:36 PM By AdminThe following is a statement from Give a Damn Campaign founder Cyndi Lauper about the 13th Anniversary of the passing of Matthew Shepard as a result of a brutal hate crime in Laramie, WY.
Today is 13 years since Matthew Shepard’s death. His mother, father and brother, with the help of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, the Human Rights Campaign and President Barack Obama, worked tirelessly to make the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act, aka the Matthew Shepard Act, a reality in 2010. To all of them, as well as the people who worked on and supported the first True Colors Tour, all the people who contacted their senators and representatives urging them to push the hate crimes amendment through, and all of the countless others who got involved – I thank you.
I had stopped believing for a minute that anything could really change until I got involved and became inspired by people who volunteer endlessly to work for change when things aren’t right. I know we can still change the quality of life for all, for the better. Funny what I remember sometimes. I heard Judy Shepard say once that Matthew had wanted to go into to politics. I guess in a big way he did.
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- Learn more about Matthew and the Matthew Shepard Foundation
- Learn more about Hate Crimes
WHY CYNDI LAUPER GIVES A DAMN ABOUT HOMELESS YOUTH
Oct 11th, 2011 04:45 PM By AdminToday is National Coming Out Day! It is a time for all of us – straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender – to speak up about why we support equality. It is a time to let the people in your life know why you give a damn.
Give a Damn Campaign founder Cyndi Lauper wanted to share with you one of the reasons why she cares. It is an issue that has not received enough attention and resources. It is gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth experiencing homelessness.
In honor of National Coming Out Day, the Huffington Post posted an Op-Ed she wrote about why she gives a damn about helping these brave young people. Here is just the start of what she had to say:
Twenty to 40 percent of homeless youth identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, yet only 3 to 5 percent of the general population does the same. Shock was the first thing I felt when I heard this statistic, and then sadness that there are so many young people who are either thrown out of their homes or run away out of fear and despair because they are gay or transgender.
But, while the disproportionate numbers are disheartening, what really matters and makes a significant impact are the young people themselves, their struggles and their desire to live a life that they dream about and deserve to live…
Please take a moment to read her story and take action yourself. Share the post with your family and friends on Facebook and Twitter, or just forward this email, so they can get informed and get involved as well.
GET INFORMED, GET INVOLVED
- Read Cyndi’s Op-Ed
- Learn more about Youth | Homelessness
If we all join together we can make a difference.
DONATE YOUR FACEBOOK STATUS TODAY FOR NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY
Oct 11th, 2011 11:21 AM By Admin
Today is National Coming Out Day!! Let the people in your life know that you are a supporter – straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender – of equality by donating your Facebook status. It is easy, our friends at the Human Rights Campaign have a very easy to use App to help you out.
Donate your Status
Share why gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality is important to you today by raising awareness on National Coming Out Day. Your courage to speak out – today and every day of the year – can spark countless conversations about equality and help change hearts and minds.
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