Cyndi Lauper: Still So Unusual follows the True Colors Fund co-founder through her “struggle of the juggle” of being a rock star, mother, wife, Broadway composer, New York Times bestselling author, and philanthropist. This season also features the launch of the True Colors Fund's Forty to None Project, the first national organization to solely address the issue of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth homelessness.
This week's episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at Cyndi's visit last May to Capitol Hill, along with her True Colors Fund and partner organizations the Human Rights Campaign, Center for American Progress and the National Alliance to End Homelessness, to advocate on behalf of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender homeless youth.
Meetings were held with various congressional leaders, including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senator John Kerry and Representative Jared Polis, as well as a briefing for congressional staff, on a number of legislative matters that would have a positive impact for gay and transgender homeless youth:
- Increased funding for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
- Added protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth in this year's reauthorization of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
- Passage of the Reconnecting Youth to Prevent Homelessness Act.
While also in Washington, DC, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius presented Cyndi with a SAMHSA Special Recognition Award for her work in helping gay and transgender homeless youth. "Homeless gay and transgender youth face unique challenges, like family rejection," said Cyndi. "They inspire me with their honesty and bravery to do all that I can to help them overcome their adversities and succeed in life."
It is estimated that up to 1.6 million youth are homeless each year. Up to 40% of these young people identify as gay or transgender, while only 3-5% of the general youth population does the same. The primary factor in these young people being homeless and for this large disparity is family rejection.
To learn more about how you can get involved and make a personal commitment to advocating on behalf of gay and transgender homeless youth, please visit the Forty to None Project at www.fortytonone.org.
Watch back-to-back episodes of Cyndi Lauper: Still So Unusual this Saturday night at 9pm EST | 8pm CST on WE tv.
ABOUT THE TRUE COLORS FUND
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 equality for all and, through its Forty to None Project, to raise awareness about and bring an end to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth homelessness. To learn more please visit www.truecolorsfund.org.
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