Known for her 80's hits "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", "Goonies 'R' Good Enough" and "Time After Time" as well as her appearances in different TV shows and movies, Cyndi Lauper is a recognizable figure in American pop culture. What is less recognized about the singer, songwriter, playwright, and actress is her activism in LGBTQ+ rights.
Chart of reasons behind LGBTQ+ youth homelessness provided by True Colors United (1).
The Foundation
In 2008 following a successful True Colors tour, Cyndi Lauper with the help of her agent and manager began True Colors United, a non-profit charity group supporting LGBTQ+ youth around the country. Specifically, Lauper's foundation is focused on providing aid to LGBTQ+ homeless youth, as they reportedly are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than other youth, largely due to parental disapproval of their identities. True Colors United works both personally and politically to provide aid and protection, working at the local, state, and federal levels of government in the US. Their most recent win came in the form of helping push for HUD Housing to expand discriminatory protections to the LGBTQ+ community (1).
The song that started the foundation:
Hits In Inclusivity
Her musical fame and dedication to spreading love and understanding for the LGBTQ+ community didn't end with the forming of a foundation. She took her incredible musical talents and drive for equality to Broadway, where she produced the musical score for a musical that would go on to win six Tony awards in its six-year run. Exploring the interpersonal struggle of the main character Charlie, the musical takes a surveying look at definitions of masculinity, family, love, homosexuality, drag culture, acceptance, and the damaging nature of stereotypes (2).
An immediate hit attracting performers such as fashion icon and activist Billy Porter and lead singer of Panic! At the Disco's Brendon Urie, Lauper's impressive score and running theme of empathy gained the production a massive $297 million dollars and countless sold-out shows (2). For an idea of just how well Lauper structured the musical to influence the audience towards inclusivity, consider Marilyn Stasio's review:
"Never underestimate the power of a good-bad musical, which can make consenting adults yearn to be dancing queens and adolescent witches and, in the case of 'Kinky Boots,' drag queens in stiletto-heeled footwear" (4).
At Lauper's annual Home for the Holiday's benefit on December 10th, 2019 she received the first-ever High Note Global Prize from United Nations. Kesha, being a fellow artist, bestowed to award to Lauper on behalf of the UN. She was also recognized by former President Barack Obama for her work, being invited personally by the President to his inauguration event in 2013 (3).
To make a donation to the True Colors United foundation, click here.
Works Cited
1. "About Us." True Colors United, 22 September 2020, https://truecolorsunited.org/about/. Accessed 11 February 2021.
2. Blisten, Jon. "Cyndi Lauper's 'Kinky Boots' to Close on Broadway." Rolling Stone, 29 September 2018, https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/cyndi-laupers-kinky-boots-close-broadway-731068/. Accessed 11 February 2021.
3. Skinner, Tom. "Cyndi Lauper to receive UN award recognizing her work as LGBTQ+ activist." NME, 27 November 2019, https://www.nme.com/news/music/cyndi-lauper-to-receive-un-award-recognising-her-work-as-lgbtq-activist-2579542. Accessed 10 February 2021
4. Stasio, Marilyn. "Legit Review: 'Kinky Boots'." Variety, 3 April 2013, https://variety.com/2013/legit/reviews/legit-review-kinky-boots-1200333293/. Accessed 11 February 2021.
I had absolutely no idea Cyndi Lauper was this amazing, nor that she wrote Kinky Boots! There are so many musicians and artists out there who claim to be allies and activists, yet they do not use their platforms the same way Cyndi is using hers. It is celebrities like Cyndi who have the money and capability of running programs like these and should be the ones taking a stand. It's empowering to see a woman make a difference for something they feel passionate about. Learning all of this new stuff about her is making me want to get into her music and re-listen to the Kinky Boots soundtrack! I believe she's going above and beyond what any activist with a platform should do, and I'm sad that it's not getting nearly the amount of recognition that it should!
I never knew this side of her, I knew all her top hits but I never knew she wrote Kinky Boots which is quite iconic. So many people wanna participate in that musical. I also didn't know she was an activist at all and it doesn't surprise me. I think anyone with a platform should use if for good and she is a prime example of how to do it.
Hi Hannah! I love having classes with you and hearing your input. I said this to Gebrielle too, I love that you picked someone who is relevant in today’s culture and not someone super old! I also love the way you incorporate multimedia into your blog, it added a lot of information and made it a fun read. I had no idea that Cyndi Lauper was so badass, I think you just made me into a fan.
I loved reading this so much because I grew up listening to Cyndi Lauper (She Bop is my favorite) but I never knew that she was an activist as well as an artist. It makes me so happy that someone I loved as a kid was all the while fighting for LGBTQ+ kids as well. I agree with Abigail when she said she was excited that you picked someone who is relevant in pop culture, it made your blog fun and easy to read. The colorful text was a nice touch as well!
I had absolutely no idea Cyndi Lauper was this amazing, nor that she wrote Kinky Boots! There are so many musicians and artists out there who claim to be allies and activists, yet they do not use their platforms the same way Cyndi is using hers. It is celebrities like Cyndi who have the money and capability of running programs like these and should be the ones taking a stand. It's empowering to see a woman make a difference for something they feel passionate about. Learning all of this new stuff about her is making me want to get into her music and re-listen to the Kinky Boots soundtrack! I believe she's going above and beyond what any activist with a platform should do, and I'm sad that it's not getting nearly the amount of recognition that it should!
ReplyDeleteI never knew this side of her, I knew all her top hits but I never knew she wrote Kinky Boots which is quite iconic. So many people wanna participate in that musical. I also didn't know she was an activist at all and it doesn't surprise me. I think anyone with a platform should use if for good and she is a prime example of how to do it.
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah! I love having classes with you and hearing your input. I said this to Gebrielle too, I love that you picked someone who is relevant in today’s culture and not someone super old! I also love the way you incorporate multimedia into your blog, it added a lot of information and made it a fun read. I had no idea that Cyndi Lauper was so badass, I think you just made me into a fan.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this so much because I grew up listening to Cyndi Lauper (She Bop is my favorite) but I never knew that she was an activist as well as an artist. It makes me so happy that someone I loved as a kid was all the while fighting for LGBTQ+ kids as well. I agree with Abigail when she said she was excited that you picked someone who is relevant in pop culture, it made your blog fun and easy to read. The colorful text was a nice touch as well!
ReplyDelete