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Cyndi Lauper opening LGBT youth homeless shelter
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Cyndi Lauper has long been an advocate for lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered rights. Upon hearing that nearly 40% of New York's youth homeless population is LGBT, Lauper has decided to open a homeless shelter for them.It will be called "True Colors," Lauper says in a press release, which is the name of her 1986 hit single. Construction on the facility begins Thursday (Sept. 1) at W. 154th St and Frederick Douglass Blvd in Manhattan.
Lauper says in the press release, "In New York City, a very disproportionate number [up to 40 percent] of homeless youth identity 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 go for help. 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."
The residence will have studio apartments and indoor/outdoor communal space. Each resident will pay affordable rent based on their income and will receive job assistance if they do not have one. There will also be social and educational programs.
Good for you, Cyndi Lauper.
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Because regular homeless shelters aren't good enough?
Good for Cyndi ! I love her music and I think it's great that she cares so much for others. I saw her in concert in Portland, OR years ago with Cher. Super show!!
Would you put male homeless people in with battered women in the same shelter? NO! Get your head out of your behind, dc.
Good for you Cyndi, for providing safe haven for people who need protection and encouragement in an environment free from attitudes like dc's.
This is a compassionate gesture, however a real act of love would be to offer deprogramming counseling services wherein the meaning of natural law would be emphasized.
She is a has been freak
If millions of people can quit drinking and smoking, then gays can quit being queer....
Hey Carlos, its not a damn disease. It's like saying you need to stop being mexican,black,white.... etc. People need to get the eff over it. Opening a shelter for homeless LGBT's is amazing. People aren't so accepting of them therefore they are kicked out of their homes and forced to live on the streets because of who they are. I'm glad Cyndi is going to give them a safe haven, they need it. BTW, I am a straight female. I just believe in equal rights.
She's gay? I never knew...
Good, maybe she can help the rest of the good ole USA by keeping freaks like her in Manhattan! And Sara, it's a choice as much as anything. Same choice most of them made when they decided to become involved in drugs.
LGBT YOUTH homeless shelter? Why are we attaching ANY sexuality to a YOUTH homeless shelter? If we would be shocked by a 14yo strait boy and girl becoming intimate at a homeless shelter, we should be equally shocked if it was two boys or to girls. Likewise, if we accept the concept of sexuallity between youths in a LGBT context, we should also accept it in a non-LGBT context.