Cyndi Lauper will receive first award of its kind from the UN recognising her work to end LGBT youth homelessness
Cyndi Lauper has worked to end LGBT+ youth homelessness for more than a decade. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Cyndi Lauper will be the first ever recipient of the United Nations High Note Global Prize award, recognising her consistent hard work to end homelessness among LGBT+ youth.
The award was created by the UN to reward artists who use their music and platform to champion social justice issues. Lauper began her charity True Colors United in 2008 to prevent and end homelessness among LGBT+ youth.
According to the charity: “LGBTQ young people are 120 per cent more likely to experience homelessness than all other youth… Through a wide array of advocacy, training and education, youth collaboration, and technical assistance programs, True Colors United implements innovative solutions to youth homelessness that focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ young people.”
The award will be presented to Lauper by Kesha at the annual ‘Cyndi Lauper & Friends: Home for the Holidays‘ benefit concert on Human Rights Day (Tuesday, December 10).
The concert donates all net profits to True Colors United, and will this year feature an array of artists including King Princess, Billy Porter, Kesha, Lily Tomlin and Marylin Manson.
According to Billboard, founder of The High Note Global Initiative David Clark said: “We are delighted to recognise and honour Cyndi Lauper as the 2019 High Note Global Prize Laureate.
“For decades she has promoted human rights, been a voice and active participant for change, and inspired people around the world to be tolerant and true to themselves.
“She is most deserving of this award, and we look forward to celebrating her achievements during our inaugural High Note Global Prize award ceremony.”
After it is presented to her, Lauper’s award will be displayed at the GRAMMY Museum.
Before the 2016 US election, Lauper previously compared Donald Trump’s attitude towards LGBT+ people to Hitler.
She said: “The things that he says are appalling to me and shocking… That guy is selling inflammatory things that I have never in my whole entire life heard – except, you know, Hitler.”
She later went on a gay bar crawl with Will & Grace star Debra Messing in support of Hillary Clinton.
