True Colors Tour: Cyndi on politics and love for the LGBT community

By: Nicole C. Lashomb
TRT Editor-in-Chief

The True Colors Tour, a celebration of the basic values and freedoms that should be shared by all Americans, pioneered by Cyndi Lauper, will kick off again this summer after a successful 2007 debut.

The tour, fueled by Lauper's desire to give back the love and support that the LGBT community has given to her throughout her successful career, has even a greater mission this time around. This year, the tour will focus on the need for the LGBT community and its straight allies to make their voices heard by voting in this upcoming 2008 Presidential election.

The performance line-up is more than impressive with legendary and hot rising artists waiting to blow you away. True Colors’ headliners include Cyndi Lauper, The B-52s, Rosie O’Donnell, host Carson Kressley and many more.

The tour will officially kick off Pride Month on May 31st at Boston’s Bank of America Pavilion. The Rainbow Times will cover the Boston opening-tour.

In an exclusive interview with The Rainbow Times, Cyndi speaks candidly about her personal views regarding the significance of the upcoming Presidential election, what she sees and looks for in her candidate of choice, while she discusses the direction that the country is heading in regarding LGBT rights and protections. This, and much, much more, she will reveal here.

TRT: Why is this upcoming election so important, or more so than others before?
CL: The current administration has done so much damage on all fronts, including LGBT progress.  The challenges are immense and it is critical that we have an administration in office that gets us back on track on all fronts and one that isn’t going to push the LGBT community aside as a marginal fraction w/out the same rights.

TRT: Does this mean that True Colors wants to ensure that people “get it” that the LGBT community needs all of the fundamental rights that the rest of the U.S. citizens have?
CL: Yes, all people need to know that the community deserves the same rights. So, the messaging of the tour continues to reinforce and galvanize the GBLT community and  hopefully the message of the tour goes out beyond to the wider gay engaged population. PFLAG actually has an initiative running through the tour called the “Straight Pledge for Equality,” where they ask straight people to get involved in support of GLBT people getting the same rights.

TRT: We read that you want to give back to the LGBT community that has supported you and that that is one of the reasons why you created True Colors, but is there a more personal reason (perhaps knowing someone, losing someone, or having someone be bashed) that led you to its creation? If so, can you share it with us?
CL: I have everyone from transgendered people in my inner circle, friends that want to get married and can't—all the way to standing strong for my friends that were causalities of AIDS. I do it for them and I do it for me and the next generation coming up. I don’t want my kid growing up in a country that is not equal and does not treat everyone fairly.

TRT: Why should everyone support True Colors?
CL: I think it’s an entertaining way to become informed on some serious issues and I think it’s a slamming show. It’s genuine in what it's trying to achieve. I really have gotten a lot from the community over the years and I felt this was the best way for me to give back.

TRT: Do you feel that your music is more supported by the Lesbian or Gay community?
CL: I'm lucky in that regards. I think my music has equally resonated with the ladies and the men. I can be a folk rock mama one minute and be dragging a disco ball around the next. I think that the different genres that I’ve attacked have always kept everyone interested. At least I hope so [laughs]!

TRT: What do you consider to be the most important factor in determining or selecting the next presidential candidate? Why?
CL: Truth and integrity … the world is sick of Bush’s lies upon lies.

TRT:  Who do you support for a presidential candidate (I know this is a stretch, but we had to try, as you know)? If you'd rather not say, what should people, especially LGBT and allies, be looking for this November when they cast their vote?
CL: I have chosen what candidate I will vote for, but I don't think it’s smart to try and influence people’s choices. I just think people should do a little homework find out where these politicians stand on issues important to you, look at their track records and make an informed decision but most importantly get involved. You can't complain about the state of things if you aren't actively participating. Get involved. Vote. Let's come together and make America a place where we are all equal and all count.

TRT: Any message for the readers of The Rainbow Times regarding True Colors, etc.?
CL: Get up , get out, and say or do something that helps to turn around what is going on in this country whether that’s via politics or one’s own personal actions. Also, have a great summer while you’re at it!

The True Colors Tour is presented by LOGO and produced by True Colors Concerts, LLC in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign. This year, the tour has expanded to a 24-city North American tour and is presented by LOGO in support of the newly created True Colors Fund of Stonewall Community Foundation.

The True Colors Fund of Stonewall Community Foundation was created this year to generate financial support to directly benefit the tour’s non-profit partners. Funds will be raised through sales of official benefit t-shirts, an eBAY auction of tour and music memorabilia, the True Colors Jewelry Collection by Love & Pride, the tour's Official Jeweler, as well as individual donations to the fund by visitors to the tour’s website.  The True Colors Jewelry Collection, selected by Cyndi Lauper from creations made by renowned designer Udi Behr, is currently in production and will launch this June.  In addition, through the True Colors Fund, $1 of every ticket sold will once again be donated to HRC.

For more information about the True Colors Tour, visit www.truecolorstour.com. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com.