True Colors Tour Rocks Los Angeles in Benefit Concert for HRC

The Greek Theater rocked to the sounds and sights of Equality on 28 June 2008, as Cyndi Lauper lead the True Colors Tour to Get Out the Vote, in a four-hour concert benefiting the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

For the second year, the HRC joined forces with legendary performer Cyndi Lauper to launch a national tour in support of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. Cyndi Lauper has long been a supporter of the GLBT community, and particularly of HRC. Her motivation for this tour stemmed from her desire to give back to the community for the love and support they have given her throughout her career, while bringing gay and straight audiences together to vote for equality this election year.

Carson Kressley warmed up the crowd and entertained between artists in an evening filled with laughter, singing, dancing and Pride! A highlight of the performance was the comedy of Wanda Sykes, where her set about coming out to family had the audience engaged and crying with laughter, at the absurdity of the proposition that sexual orientation and gender identity are choices, any more than one can choose the color of their skin.

The music of evening featured Andy Bell, singing favorites of Erasure, including “A Little Respect” and "Oh L'amour". Andy also appeared on stage with Cyndi to discuss the need to elect fair-minded politicians. The B-52’s sang a number of new tracks, and several classics, such as “Rock Lobster” and “Love Shack”, which had the crowd on their feet and dancing in the aisles.

The highlight of the evening was the energy and spirit of Cyndi, who sang several songs from her new album “Bring Ya to the Brink”, and crowd pleasing classics including “Time After Time” and “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”. Cyndi left the stage several times to dance and sing in the audience; and made an impassioned plea for tolerance, equality and the celebration of Pride!

The entire True Colors Tour cast joined Cyndi for an encore finale of “True Colors”, challenging the mixed audience of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight allies to fight for marriage equality in California and to Get out To Vote!

“We are privileged to have friends such as Cyndi, and the entire True Colors Tour team, in the fight for Equality,” said Jessica Bair, co-chair of the HRC Los Angeles Steering Committee. “This audience of celebrities, GLBT activists and leaders, major donors, volunteers, and music fans all age groups, orientations and colors, demonstrates how we can have an America where GLBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.”

You can make a difference in this critical Year to Win! Volunteer to help in the fight for marriage equality and donate to the HRC California Marriage PAC - Vote No on Proposition 8. You can also visit the HRC Election Center to support fair-minded officials who are committed to Equality.

Visit our Photo gallery for more images of this fabulous evening.