Tag Archives: Homeless LGBT Youth

Cyndi Lauper Launches New Shoe Line, Which Will Benefits LGBT Youth

For many years Cyndi Lauper has been pivotal supporter of LGBT rights, becoming a fixture at gay pride events and raising money through charity work.

Now, she’s parlaying her unwavering belief in equality into something tangible with the launch of her shoe collection with M4D3 (Make a Difference Everyday), an organization dedicated to creating products with a purpose.

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The three-piece line, priced between $65 and $75, includes a denim hi-top sneaker, a leopard print slip-on sneaker, and a men’s white hi-top sneaker.

Talking to InStyle, Lauper said

I’m the aunt and cousin or sister you can’t get rid of. Initially, I got involved because nobody else was getting involved. I wasn’t going to sit idly and watch my family members and dear friends have their civil rights stripped [Ed note: Lauper’s older sister, Ellen, is a lesbian and activist in the gay community]. Everyone was totally disenfranchised and was contemplating suicide. Something had to be done. You should never kill yourself because you’re different. There are a lot of great people who didn’t blend in who were different.”

She added

There has been some change, but I wish in my heart that those changes had come sooner for those who were forced to live through a harder time. Forty percent of the 1.6 million kids out there are homeless right now, and identify as LGBT. We have to educate people and their parents, too.”

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Proceeds from sales benefit the True Colors Fund, her foundation which works to end homelessness among gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth across the country. Below, we spoke to Lauper about the collaboration, ’80s fashion trends, and the cause closest to her heart.

We tried to make something that was interesting and fun to wear, that you could rock any way you want—whether you’re conservative or more outgoing.”
Shop the True Colors Collection now at shop.m4d3shoes.com and visit truecolorsfund.org to learn more about the cause.

Stunning Pictures Of What It Looks Like To Be A Transgender Teen America

With the transgender conversation taking center stage in American culture, Mashable set out to talk to real teens to see what their lives are really like in 2015. We asked them to talk to their future selves 10 years from now. Their responses are honest, sometimes fearful but always hopeful.

A study by the Youth Suicide Prevention Program found that more than 50% of transgender teens have attempted suicide by their 20th birthday.
The transgender homelessness population is massive, too.

Among the documented 1.6 million homeless youth across America, 40% are transgender, according to a study reported by Trans Equality. Of that population, 90% reported they left their households because of harassment, bullying and family rejection, found a True Colors Fund study. In the same report, another 75% reported physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

Read the full story about these brave transgender teenagers on Mashable.

People call me a “transtrender.” It’s people who pretend to be trans to be popular. It’s because of what I look like and how I’m not taking hormones for my transition, but there are plenty of transgender people who don’t want to go through that process. I like how I look, I really do. It’s up to other people to change their perception of me rather than for me to change myself to fit what their perception is. I wear dresses sometimes, but that doesn’t make me less of a man. I definitely have a feminine side. I enjoy having my makeup done and can still look pretty and be a man.”

Mashable | Transgender Teens | Photo by Bryan Derballa

Former Homeless Teen Cyndi Lauper Goes to Washington to Help End LGBT Homelessness

Yesterday was 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.”

It was also the day Cyndi Lauper – who started her True Colors Fund charity – 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. 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. 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. Pray to God to change your heart.”

The hearing was led by the subcommittee’s Chair, GOP Senator Susan Collins of Maine.

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.

Joan Lobis Brown Beautiful Photos Challenge Stereotypes About Homeless LGBT Youth

Marriage equality may be the LGBT issue dominating mainstream media headlines, but there’s another pervasive problem affecting these communities that gets significantly less attention: homelessness.

According to a recent study by the Williams Institute, 40% of homeless youth is LGBT identified, and the leading cause of this homelessness is family rejection after coming out.

More: Cyndi Lauper Opens Housing for LGBT Youth in New York

The issue is one that photographer Joan Lobis Brown hopes to address through her beautiful portrait project featuring captivating images of at-risk LGBT youth.

“When I photograph the emotionally ‘isolated,’ it is my goal for viewers to look at my photographs and to find something they can relate to and empathize with — a gesture, a posture, an emotion revealed — or, on perhaps a more profound level, lead the viewer to identify with the outsider that lurks even within the most secure of us.” 

Joan Lobis Brown

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All images © Joan Lobis Brown; www.joanlobisbrown.com

Nobody Should Be Bullied for Being Who They Are – Show Your Support by Going Purple – #spiritday

The Hetrick-Martin Institute is a nonprofit organization that serves the needs of LGBT youth.

This touching video was produced by the GLAAD team when they visited New York City and interviewed LGBT young people about being bullied.

They shared their experiences with bullying and how bullying has affected their lives.

Watch the video below and see their personal stories:

Nobody should be bullied for being who they are. You can show your support by going purple. Use #spiritday on all social media.

Cyndi Lauper Opens Housing for LGBT Youth in New York

Cyndi Lauper’s hit song ‘True Colors’ took on a new meaning when the True Colors Residence for homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth opened its doors in Harlem.

The New York City’s street plays home to an increasing number homeless youth identify as LGBT, with reports indicating that these young people often face discrimination and at times physical assault.

The idea behind the 30-bed facility, was conceived by Lauper, her manager and the West End Intergenerational Residence, a non-profit that provides housing and support for homeless families and seniors.

The True Colors Residence will be the first permanent housing facility in New York for homeless LGBT+ youth.

“In New York City, a very disproportionate number (up to 40 percent) of homeless youth identify as LGBT+ Even more disturbing are reports that these young people often face discrimination and at times physical assault in some of the very places they have to for help. This is shocking and inexcusable!..

…I believe a strong society is an inclusive society. If we want to win big then we’d better include everybody because we need everybody,”

Cyndi Lauper

Lauper has long been an advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. In 2007, she created the True Colors Tour, in which she performed and talked about LGBT+ issues with Erasure, The B-52s, the Indigo Girls, Deborah Harry and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.

Then in 2008, she founded the True Colors Fund, a non-profit for the advancement of LGBT+ equality.

The True Colors Residence was subsequently constructed. The new energy-efficient building contains 30 studio apartments for youth aged 18 to 24 to live in, and indoor and outdoor community space. Residents will pay rent based on their income and receive job placement help.

Lauper will be the honorary chair of the shelter’s board, and her manager, Lisa Barbaris, will be the board’s honorary vice chair.

“Our primary goal is to provide a physically and emotionally safe and supportive environment that will empower our young residents to be the self-loving, happy and successful individuals they were meant to be.”

Cyndi Lauper

Lauper wrote.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center has already started referring homeless and disconnected youth to the True Colors Residence.

“We have about 1,000 people a year come here. And at least 20 to 25 percent of those individuals face an issue of homelessness or are under-housed at some point in their adolescence.”

Carrie Davis, the director of community services at The Center.

Carl Siciliano, the founder and executive director of the Ali Forney Center, agreed that the new shelter was a much-needed facility.

“There are fewer than 200 beds for homeless youth in New York City, and fewer than ten beds for homeless LGBT+ youth. So every new bed aimed at this new population is really a matter of life and death that could get kids off the street.”

Carl Siciliano

Lauper’s new shelter is part of a slowly growing movement that’s calling attention to the plight of homeless LGBT+ youth in New York. In 2009, Mayor Bloomberg’s office created a 25-member Commission for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Runaway and Homeless Youth. The director of the commission is Jeanne B. Mullgrav, the commissioner of the Department of Youth and Community Development.

“We are ecstatic that, with the opening of the True Colors Residence, more housing and services will be available to help our most vulnerable youth succeed and thrive . In 2010, Mayor Bloomberg’s Commission on L.G.B.T.Q. Runaway and Homeless Youth report high-lighted that LGBTQ youth are particularly at risk of leaving home. In response, the Commission recommended the addition of beds and specialized services for this population, so we are especially pleased to see this vision becoming a reality.”

Jeanne B. Mullgrav

 

Kicked Out for Being Trans

Watch this insightful video and learn more about one transgender teen’s life on the streets, and other gay, lesbian and bisexual youth who become tragically homeless at such a young age.

“People look down upon us, without stopping to think that no homeless person is on the streets by choice. Something in their lives, or some events, have led to them being on the street.”

Anonymous transgender youth featured this in a powerful video, as a camera follows behind him, as he visits the places he used to sleep and ask for spare money.

He recalls how expressing his desire to medically transition at age 15 was “[my] introduction to the streets.”

He goes on..

“…as soon as I started living as male full-time, everything changed. I became very much more self-confident; I was beginning to be able to be the person I wanted to be.”

While he found many other homeless youth for companionship, life was restless and disheartening.

“…cracked down on clearing out places where there are homeless people sleeping because it’s an ‘eyesore'”; how the average person can’t fully understand hunger; and how most passersby will offer food to a dog before a human, yet the rare kindnesses of strangers can “restore your faith in humanity just a little bit.”

A ‘Night Of A Thousand Judys’ Benefit For Homeless LGBT Youth

In aid of homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth – the worlds of Broadway, folk-rock, television and cabaret will come together  for ‘Night of a Thousand Judys’. In its fourth year, the night features performances by Broadway’s Rory O’Malley and Sierra Boggess, “Queer as Folk” star Randy Harrison and singer-songwriter Erin McKeown.

In previous years, ‘Night of a Thousand Judys’ has been timed to coincide with LGBT Pride Month and will benefit the Ali Forney Center, a New York advocacy group dedicated to homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.

The show has really become an event, something each of us on the team look forward to every year. But more so than any of the specifics, it becomes a celebration of this iconic performer that we all adore. At the core of what makes Judy Garland great is her vulnerability. Every song is a master class in giving.

Justin Sayre

Judy Garland was the stage name of Frances Ethel Gumm, born in the homey state of Minnesota in the U.S.A. to a family of vaudeville performers. With her girl-next-door charm and a craft honed by simply making the performance arts her life from the start, it was no surprise that the talent scouts and casting agents for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studios had her sign on at the age of thirteen. This was an awkward age in the industry, with Judy being too young to be considered a child star, and too young for adult roles. Still, her versatility shone through in her first few roles.

At the age of sixteen, she landed the role of Dorothy Gale in a movie musical version of The Wizard of Oz. Her natural doe-eyed innocence combined with her warmly golden singing voice made Judy Garland a shoe-in for the 1940’s Academy Awards, after which she became MGM’s most valuable member of their roster of talents.

Despite this acclaim, Garland remained deeply insecure. She reportedly felt that her work had stolen her childhood, and grew increasingly anxious about her public image transitioning as she took on more mature roles. Other personal troubles of Judy Garland included divorces, family estrangement, substance abuse and suicide attempts. While Garland would invariably light up the screen with her performances and a seemingly effortless starlet glow, the pressures behind the scenes too quickly wore thin. These may have contributed to her deteriorating heath and eventual death from an accidental overdose of sedatives. She was only forty-seven years of age.

Whether it is her glamour, beauty, and talent that is so memorable, or the admiration for her success despite overwhelming personal struggles, Judy Garland had gained a devoted fan base in gay subculture. In an 1960’s press conference held in San Francisco, a reporter enquired Garland’s opinion on her gay fans.

She simply responded,

I sing to people.”