Lauper has spoken out about the spate of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being debated across the US at the moment. She compared it to moves the Nazis made in Germany in the 1930s.
“I believe you don’t stop the fight,” the singer told ITK, as reported by The Hill. “Equality for everybody, or nobody’s really equal.
“This is how Hitler started,” she continued, “just weeding everybody out.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea what they’re doing but, you know, you just have to keep fighting for civil rights,” Lauper, 69, said.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“I guess that’s the way it is in this country. Started out like that, didn’t it?”
The tsunami of anti-LGBTQ+ legisaltion
In the last couple of years, 18 different states have introduced laws banning trans girls from competing in women’s sports. In recent months, five states have introduced laws banning gender-affirming care for minors, including Arkansas, Utah, and Mississippi.
In addition to this, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said it was monitoring the progress of 385 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in 38 different states. This is an increase on the 278 it monitored in 2022 (many of which failed).
Related*
Cyndi Lauper receives special honor from the United Nations for LGBTQ advocacy
The singer became the first-ever honoree with the UN’s High Note Global Prize.
The legislation largely targets schools and healthcare, but also drag queens.
For example, Texas is debating 29 different pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. One would reclassify bars that host drag shows as sexually oriented businesses (on a par with adult theatres and sex shops). This will mean they’d have to pay higher taxes and operate under different regulations. Many would likely cancel their drag performances.
“While not all of these bills will become law, they all cause harm for LGBTQ people,” the ACLU says.
Lauper has been an ally of the LGBTQ+ community for decades. She says she quickly became aware her song ‘True Colors’ had become something of a gay anthem. After hearing about how so many queer youths became homeless, she founded the True Colors fund to help raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues and provide shelter for homeless youth.
Love Rising in Nashville
Yesterday it was announced that Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, Hozier and others would perform at a big show in Nashville to protest about anti-trans and anti-drag legislation. The ‘Love Rising‘ concert will benefit Tennessee Equality Project, Inclusion Tennessee, OUTMemphis and The Tennessee Pride Chamber. It takes place March 20 at Bridgestone Arena.
“As a queer, intersectional artist and mother, raising my child in Nashville, it’s important to me to support these wonderful Tennessee LGBTQIA+ advocacy organizations, working so hard to build bridges, reduce harm and promote equality for all Tennesseans,” said Allison Russell, another of the performers.
“LGBTQIA+ contributions and creativity are foundational to every genre of modern song and arts performance. I think it speaks volumes that so many in our community are feeling the same call to support, celebrate and uplift!”
Related*
That time Cyndi Lauper starred opposite Jeff Goldblum in the best worst ’80s movie ever
In 1988, Lauper starred as a psychic in the box office bomb “Vibes” opposite Jeff Goldblum.
Openminded
As a TN resident with Gov Bill Lee’s latest attempt to one up Fla’s Ron DeSantis, I have to wonder how our new Anti Drag law will affect a Television show that performs Drag such as RuPauls. Will these shows actually be censored to Tennesseans?
Kangol2
She’s correct, but don’t forget Jim Crow too. The GOP’s fascism, homophobia and transphobia, racism, and authoritarianism are increasing by the day. Today’s headline: “The Tennessee House Just Passed a Bill Completely Gutting Marriage Equality.” County clerks may soon be able to decline marriage licenses for same-sex couples, interracial couples, and even interfaith couples! People should be protesting this extremist backsliding now, because they aren’t going to back down unless confronted!
ftl2000
Let’s call it what it really is…, Naziism!
Cam
She’s right
LumpyPillows
Never argue with Cyndi.
Ronbo
How did we first turn our nation in our favor? We protested, gained visibility, and pushed for acceptance and understanding. “Hate is not a family value,” became our calling card.
Anyone notice that Cindi doesn’t use insults, division and hate? I hope readers follow Cindi’s lead. We are a community of many voices and it’s going to take our voices of REASON, LOVE and ACCEPTANCE to calm these political storms of fear, hate and loathing. Escalating extremism (thinking it provides ‘balance’) is NOT the answer.
Kangol2
Ronbo, I see what you’re trying to say but yet again, you’re being ahistorical. Go back, look at the historical record of the fight for LGBTQ rights and equality, and you’ll see that it was a brutal battle and was not all sweetness and light. Some LGBTQ people, including people who fought for better access to AIDS drugs, who fought to create laws ensuring LGBTQ equality in state houses, who fought for same-sex marriage, did use “insults,” strong language, and in fact were viewed as “divisive” when fighting for OUR rights. So Cyndi is correct but we need to use every tool in our kit, and sometime those tools aren’t so sunny and sweet.
DBMC
Right on Cyndi! She’s been a hero for decades!
Fahd
Everyone should heed Cyndi’s warning, because if there’s one thing these demagogues have learned from the disgrace of the Count of Monte Crisco’s presidency is that not backing down can often get them what they want, no matter how repugnant the goal.
I hope the needed civil rights leaders will emerge especially in the younger generations otherwise it’s back to the repression of the 1950s or worse….hell in a handbasket….
jackscott
Cyndi is amazing!
Diplomat
Love all the support Cyndy brings us but I’m not sure of her stance on trans girls on women’s sports teams. I’m an avid believer that trans is a 3rd sex and doesn’t fit the sexual binary, and therefore should be allotted their own dressing rooms and sports teams. Like for like. I’d not be happy if women were suddenly allowed in men’s locker rooms, same thing. Keep all three sexes separate is my take. Forcing any of the the sexes together against someone’s will is war time problematic.
bachy
The GQP primary policy goals are to reduce or even eliminate taxes for the very wealthy and ease regulations on business to enable the very wealthy to make even more tax-free money.
GQP know their policies are not popular with their base. So they funnel all of their energy into whipping up hysteria against gays, women, POC with the (apparently correct) assumption this will be enough to get their base to vote against their interests.