As a longtime supporter of LGBT causes, Cyndi Lauper has often reached out to like-minded celebrity friends to help spread the good word. People like Whoopi Goldberg, Elton John, Kelly Osbourne, and … 50 Cent?
That’s right. Despite a history of antigay sentiments that would make Mel Gibson seem like a nice guy in comparison, Lauper has tapped the rapper to join her onstage this Saturday at New York City’s Beacon Theatre for her True Colors Fund’s annual Home for the Holidays concert, which raises money for homeless LGBT youth.
50 Cent is a surprising choice, given his past outspokenness against gay people. In 2010, following a tiff with Perez Hilton, the rapper tweeted that he had his homie shoot up a gay wedding in retaliation, which made him feel better. And around the time of Tyler Clementi’s suicide, 50 suggested that men who didn’t enjoy sex with women should kill themselves to help make the world a better place.
But in a recent interview with Buzzfeed, Lauper says the rapper — whose real name is Curtis Jackson — has changed. Calling him “a good guy,” the Grammy and Emmy award-winner said that “People evolve. That is what you have to leave yourself open for. You change the world when you change your mind.”
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According to a press release, the True Colors Fund was founded “to inspire and engage everyone, especially straight people, to become active participants in the advancement of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality and to raise awareness about and bring an end to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth homelessness.”
aliengod
People do evolve. I’m glad to hear he’s changed his attitude towards the LGB community.
NiceNCool1
Funny, but I would trust her judgment on this. She obviously knows him better than the media does.
jason smeds
Cydi Lauper is a fool, a complete and utter fool.
50 Cent was reported as being derogatory towards male homosexuality and not female homosexuality. As a woman, she actually benefits from this. His is a selective homophobia based on gender. Women benefit from this.
TomOH
What’s next, are Ice Cube and Busta Rhymes gonna star in a sequel to Too Wong Foo?
For what it’s worth, Tone-Loc recently performed a few months ago at one of our local gay bars. I was kind of surprised to hear he would be performing, and was wondering if perhaps he wasn’t aware that it was a gay bar (they don’t really promote themselves as such).
Kieran
As long as Two Cent isn’t being paid anything for his appearance. The only people making anything off of this should be homeless GLBT youth.
Saint Law
@jason smeds: You will die a virgin.
Stefano
Yes, money…money changes everything, isn’t It Cynderella?
Stefano
I’m with you on this Jason smeds…people are so naive. For me, this is PR.