Cyndi Lauper Meets With LGBTQ Youth in Raleigh on Impact of North Carolina’s Discriminatory HB 2

Last Saturday, award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and LGBTQ equality advocate Cyndi Lauper met with LGBTQ youth at the LGBT Center of Raleigh to learn more about their lives, the challenges they face, and the damaging impact of North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory’s deeply discriminatory HB 2 law.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Equality NC issued the following statements hailing Cyndi Lauper, the co-founder of the True Colors Fund, for using her platform to raise awareness of the harmful effects of HB 2 on LGBTQ youth.

“Cyndi Lauper is not only an incredibly talented artist, but an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ equality,” said JoDee Winterhof, HRC Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs. “We are deeply thankful she has taken time to meet with LGBTQ youth in North Carolina and hear firsthand the destructive impact Gov. McCrory’s deeply discriminatory law is having on their lives. It is imperative for the future of these young people and the future of the entire state of North Carolina that HB 2 be repealed and replaced by common sense non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people.”

“Cyndi’s visit today – both contributing to Equality NC and highlighting the real problems faced by members of the transgender community – is crucial in our fight to repeal HB 2,” said Chris Sgro, Executive Director of Equality North Carolina. “We are so grateful for her work, and believe it will continue to make real progress as we defeat the worst anti LGBT bill in the nation.”

Lauper is part of a growing list of artists and entertainers, including members of Dead & Company, Jackson Browne, and members of Pearl Jam, who have publicly committed their time and resources to repealing HB 2.

The HRC Foundation recently partnered with Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund and Time Out Youth of Charlotte, North Carolina, to create “On Our Own: A Survival Guide for Independent LGBTQ Youth” – a guide geared toward older teens and young adults forced to fend for themselves, typically without parental support and often lacking the skills or resources needed to live safely and begin building a successful life. The guide provides practical advice on essential topics ranging from finding housing, going to school and opening a bank account, to getting a job, accessing healthcare and living on a budget.

Across the country, LGBTQ youth are particularly vulnerable to homelessness. Research shows that of the 1.6 million young people affected by homelessness each year, up to 40 percent identify as LGBTQ — even though they make up only five to 10 percent of the overall youth population.  Many LGBTQ young people experiencing homelessness say they have been rejected by their families. They also often face harassment or discrimination when attempting to access housing programs and other services. The new guide highlights many LGBTQ-friendly service providers.

HB2 compounds the discrimination, harassment, and marginalisation that LGBTQ youth in North Carolina already face, particularly transgender youth. HB 2 prevents transgender students in public schools from using restrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identity. It also compels the same type of discrimination against transgender people to take place in publicly-owned buildings, including in public universities, major airports, and convention centres.  HB 2 also eliminates existing municipal non-discrimination protections for LGBT people and prevents such protections from being passed by cities in the future.  Further, it revoked the ability to sue under state employment non-discrimination law on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, religion, national origin, and sex.

Photo By Jim Provenzano [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons